JOIN USIndia rip Belgium to seal semis spot
Pakistan trounced South Africa 4-1 to finish second in Group B.
India, who needed just a draw to make the last four, were tied 2-2 with the Belgians at half-time. The beginning of Thursday’s match was spirited, with chances going abegging at both ends, including a penalty corner that India shot wide.
India controlled most of the play with Shivendra Singh and Prabhjot Singh being very active up front, but the Belgian defence held tight.
India scored their first goal through a penalty corner in the 19th minute, with a low flick by Dhananjay Mahadik.
Belgium reacted well and, after crashing a penalty corner against the post, equalised with a penalty stroke converted by Jerome Dekeyser in the 24th minute. Less than a minute later, a field goal by Renaud Pangrazio helped them go ahead of India.
The end of the period was dominated by India with a goal by Shivendra, who was left unmarked on the far post, in the 30th minute helping the team equalise.
India missed a chance to break the deadlock early in the second half off a penalty corner, and the game continued back and forth at a high tempo, providing thrilling entertainment to the crowd.
Tushar Khandekar scored the go-ahead goal in the 48th minute, after a series of saved shots, but Belgium were not down yet and Adrian D’Souza had to pull off a spectacular diving save to protect the Indian net. India finished their group ahead of New Zealand, Belgium and China. The semifinal is on Saturday.