FIH Pro League 2024-25: Indian women’s team at risk of being relegated after another loss to Belgium

Indian women’s hockey team is at the risk of being relegated from the FIH Pro League after slipping to the bottom of the standings following a 0-2 loss to Belgium in Antwerp on Sunday.

Goals by Ambre Ballenghien (40’) and Lien Hillewaert (43’) were enough to seal the win for Belgium. The victory ensured Belgium remained in the third place, only behind Netherlands and Argentina who are in the first and second position respectively.

India, which went down 1-5 to the same opponent on Saturday, began first quarter with aggressive intent. The team won a Penalty Corner early in the quarter but could not convert. With six minutes left for the first hooter, a defensive error gave Belgium its first PC of the match. A slow attempt by the host eventually led to the umpire awarding a penalty stroke but the decision was changed to a long corner following a successful referral by India.

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Skipper Salima Tete led the charge in the second quarter as she took a couple of shots on goal herself but the Belgian defence remained solid.

In the third quarter though, India seemed to lose the plot. Though the women in blue began the quarter optimistically with a PC but they couldn’t convert. Belgium made no such mistake when it got its next PC a few minutes later.

Ballenghien’s shot from the left resulted in a goal after a deflection. The host doubled its lead through another PC conversion. They played a similar variation, sending the ball to the left and Hillewaert was perfectly positioned to get the right deflection with no Indian defender posing a threat to her shot.

Deepika and Jyoti had chances in the fourth quarter but India remained goalless.

England went past India and Germany into seventh place after a 4-1 win over Spain, taking its tally to 11 points in 14 games. Germany, which lost 3-4 to Australia, has 10 points after 12 matches.

India, currently placed last amongst nine teams with 10 points in 14 games, will desperately look for back-to-back wins against China in its remaining fixtures this season on June 28-29 to avoid relegation