Rio de Janeiro: Striker Sebastian Dockier struck twice in Belgium’s 3-1 triumph over India on Sunday putting paid to the latter’s hopes of making it to the men’s hockey semi-finals at the Olympics after a long gap of 36 years.
India, who last won an Olympic medal — a gold — at the 1980 Moscow Games, faced an aggressive Belgium side that scored thrice after conceding a goal against the run of play in the 15th minute.
Akashdeep Singh deflected from a close angle, but Belgium hit back as Dockier equalised in the 34th minute.
Dockier gave Belgium the lead in the 45th minute and Tom Boon scored a field goal in the 50th minute to make it 3-1 — the scoreline that remained till the end.
It was a game that saw Belgium pressing for the goal from the pushback, peppering Indian goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, who even though delivered a stunning show but it was not enough.
Both the teams went after each other aggressively and Belgium’s quick and attacking play kept the Indians guarded.
However, the Belgian midfield, led by captain John-John Dohmen proved to be the difference and they kept marching ahead to the Indian circle.
In the final minute of the first quarter, India took the surprising lead as V.R. Raghunath drilled a long ball 25 yards out straight at the Belgium goal through the middle and Akashdeep deflected the ball on the right post. The ball touched the left leg of goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch before entering the cage.
Belgium got a chance to pull level but Indian goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh was all alert to block a deflection from Dohmen and latter Sreejesh again denied a penalty corner from Loick Lupayert as the first 30 minutes of play ended in India’s favour.
However, Belgium hit back in the third and penultimate quarter and managed to score two goals through Dockier.
Belgium will face either reigning world champions Australia or last edition’s runners-up the Netherlands in the semi-final.
In the other last eight match, Argentina saw off a stiff challenge from Spain to sneak to a 2-1 victory. Set-piece specialist Gonzalo Peillat gave the South Americans the lead in the 15th minute.
Spain equalised late through Pau Quemada in the 57th minute but Juan Gilardi sealed the win for Argentina with a field goal in the 59th minute.
