The Indian women’s hockey team lost its second game on the trot in the 5 Nations Tournament Valencia 2023 with a 2-1 defeat against Belgium on Saturday.
Belgium won the match, riding on goals from Ambre Ballenghien (22’) and Louise Versavel (37’). Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke (56’) scored the only goal for India.
The loss against world No. 4 Belgium makes it difficult for the Indian hockey team to top the five-nation tournament. India, ranked sixth, lost to Spain 3-2 in the opening match and will play Germany and Ireland on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
From the opening whistle, the match brimmed with intensity as both teams sought to penetrate each other’s defenses. However, neither team managed to score a goal. The first quarter concluded with both teams on equal footing.
The breakthrough finally came seven minutes into the second quarter as Ambre Ballenghien scored to give Belgium the lead.
Both teams were eager to score next and it was Louise Versavel’s shot on goal early in the third quarter that extended Belgium’s lead in the contest to 2-0.
The Indian women’s hockey team kept probing Belgium’s defence in search of a goal in the last quarter. Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke’s strike in the 56th minute put India back in contention. However, the Belgian defence tightened the screws and saw off the remaining minutes safely and sealed the contest with a 2-1 scoreline.