Xtra Time Web Desk: PR Sreejesh saved a penalty stroke as the Indian men’s team stunned Olympic champions Belgium 5-4 in the first match of the two-legged FIH Pro Hockey League in Antwerp on Saturday.
The Indian team was down 1-3 with just eight minutes left in the match but made it 3-3 to force a penalty shoot-out. Sreejesh foiled an attempt from Alexander Hendrickx, who was taking his third penalty stroke, when the shoot-out was locked 4-4 and Akashdeep Singh found the net to make it 5-4 for the Tokyo Games bronze medallists.
The eventful first quarter ended in a goalless stalemate with Sreehesh doing a fantastic job under the bar, making two saves. Early in the second quarter, India took the lead when Abhishek’s shot rebounded off the custodian’s leg and Shamsher Singh (18′) tapped the high ball into the net after it came off the post.
Belgium found the equaliser through Cedric Charlier (21′), who deflected a pass from Nicolas de Kerpel in lightening quick time. It was Arthur van Doren, who pushed it towards Kerpel from the left flank.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the third quarter with Simon Gougnard (36′) slotting a fierce hit home after being fed by Florent van Aubel, who controlled the high ball nicely to push it towards his teammate. The hosts extended the lead through De Kerpel, as he breached the defence with a furious hit off a penalty corner to make it 3-1.