Champions Trophy Hockey: India out to challenge Belgium

With a win over hosts Great Britain in their previous game and a formidable record against Belgium in the Champions Trophy encounters, the Indian team are exuding confidence going into Monday’s match at the Lee Valley Hockey Centre here.

India enjoyed a good record in head-to-head matches against Belgium, but since 2011 the tide has turned in favour of the European opponents.

Called the Red Lions, Belgium are on a winning spree against India since the final of the 2011 Champions Challenge in Johannesburg, a victory that earned them their first Champions Trophy qualification.

India’s only success in eight matches since then have been the two Champions Trophy encounters in 2012 (Melbourne) and 2014 (Bhubaneswar).

On both occasions, India pulled off victories to make the semi-finals in the earlier format of the Champions Trophy, which has been abandoned this time as the event returned to its original six-nation event.

India’s 2-1 victory over Great Britain on Saturday and the 3-3 draw with Olympic champions Germany on Friday have given them four points from two matches, putting them at par on points with world champions Australia, who defeated South Korea 4-2 in a fast-paced encounter.

Belgium, ranked no. 5, are placed two spots above India in the current world rankings and both teams have brought some of the junior players to this tournament.

“Belgium will be a good challenge and the boys will have to play well again to get a positive result,” said India coach Roelant Oltmans.

“We are playing well and growing in strength, but need to make more out of our chances. We did well to bounce back strongly against Great Britain,” he added.

In 57 encounters against Belgium, India have won 37 times, while 10 matches ended in a draw.