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Belgium signs off with consolation victory

K. Keerthivasan

The series has proved to be a good base for assessment of our players: India coach

— Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

IN SCORING ACT: Jerome Dekeyser (extreme right) scoring Belgium’s second goal against India during the fifth and final hockey Test match on Thursday.

CHENNAI: Belgium, finally played a brand of hockey, which it promised all along but seldom got to produce in the series. The fifth and final Test at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Thursday saw the visitor make a definite impression with a 3-2 win over India.

With the series already clinched by the host on Wednesday, the consolation win, its only victory, would have given the Belgium coach Adam Commens a sense of satisfaction.

Asian style

Belgium played in a style that resembled Asian system for the most part of the first half. There were dribbles, short and quick passes that certainly took India by surprise.

For the first time in the series, Rajpal Singh did not figure in the XI, and that had its own dynamics in the frontline sallies. The man, who was at the heart of the frontline in the four matches, was certainly missed. Each time a goal went abegging, each time a pass went unnoticed, somebody in the gallery could have silently cried for Rajpal.

Attacking instincts

That did not totally dampen the attacking instincts of India’s famed forwards. Sunil weaved in and out, though at times one got the impression that he could have played with better control. However, it was Sunil who set up India’s first goal that emerged in the 12th minute His cross from the right was pushed back into action by the goalkeeper. But the ball went straight to Birendra Lakra who didn’t make any mistake with a straight drive.

Truyens Jerome, a man who could dribble as much as any of the Indians sneaked through the defence with a lively sprint and passed it to Briels Thomas, who equalised for Belgium with a neat push.

Among the best

Ajitesh Rai’s strike could easily figure among the best goals of the series. He stunned two defenders with pure speed and then sprinted to an angle diagonal to the goalkeeper and aimed it perfectly right. The lead taken, India couldn’t rest in peace. For Belgium went levels soon with a goal by Jerome Dekeyser. Even before the Indian defence could recover from Jerome’s strike, came what turned out to be, the match-winner.

An unmarked Charlier Cedric didn’t strain much and it was his strike that gave Belgium a well-deserved victory.

Carvalho satisfied

India’s hockey coach Joaquim Carvalho expressed satisfaction at India’s series win over Belgium. “The series has proved to be a good base for assessment of our players. Winning the Test series against Belgium team is one thing and happiness of that victory is another.”

The coach still felt that are areas where the team can improve. “There were few mistakes committed and each of the players has been advised as to how he could take remedial measures to see that such mistakes do not recur.”

Carvalho felt glad that the juniors — Diwakar Ram, Samir Baxla and Bikash Toppo — have grabbed their chances. “They have quickly adjusted with the senior players and must have gained confidence.”

Carvalho said the series has been good preparations for the Beijing Olympics. “They (the players) cannot afford to be complacent in the Olympic qualifier in Chile,” said the coach.

The results:

Belgium 3 (Briels Thomas, Jerome Dekeyser, Charlier Cedric) bt India 2 (Birendra Lakra, Ajitesh Rai).

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