Disappointing End for Indian Men’s Hockey as Shootout Loss Places Them Eighth

The Indian men’s hockey squad concluded its 2026 World Cup campaign with a heart‑breaking shootout loss to Belgium, settling for the tournament’s eighth spot. The encounter in Wavre was a roller‑coaster, with the teams locked at 3‑3 after regular play.

Belgium began aggressively, applying pressure that led to an early incursion into the Indian circle. India’s first real chance arrived in the sixth minute when Manpreet Singh’s precise pass set up Abhishek, whose powerful shot was deflected into the net by Vanash. Belgium quickly retaliated, earning a penalty corner that Kherra saved.

The first half saw India reduced to ten men when Manpreet received a yellow card for a technical offence. Despite this setback, India pushed forward, and a video‑referral‑driven penalty corner gave Harpreet Singh the chance to restore parity at 2‑2.

In the second half, Belgium’s relentless attacks paid off with a well‑placed drag‑flick, taking the lead to 2‑1. India answered back with Harpreet’s flick that found the net, tying the game again. The tempo stayed high, and Belgium’s persistence earned them another penalty corner, which was converted to make it 3‑2.

India equalised once more when Harpreet, after a second video referral, scored from a penalty corner, bringing the match to a 3‑3 stalemate as the clock wound down. A last‑minute tactical switch—replacing the goalkeeper with an additional out‑field player—produced a final penalty corner that Harpreet turned into a goal, sending the contest to a shootout.

In the shootout, Belgium held their nerve, winning 4‑3. The result marked a disappointing conclusion for India, which had hoped to advance further, and left the team ranking eighth in the competition.