Harmanpreet’s Late Heroics Not Enough as India Finish 8th at Hockey World Cup

India’s hopes of ending their FIH Hockey World Cup campaign on a winning note were dashed as hosts Belgium edged them 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time in Wavre on Friday. The result left India in eighth place.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh produced another moment of brilliance when India were staring at defeat. Trailing 2-3 with only 26 seconds remaining, India earned a penalty corner after withdrawing their goalkeeper for an additional outfield player. Harmanpreet stepped up and fired a powerful drag-flick into the net, taking his tournament tally to eight goals and forcing the match into a shootout.

Belgium, however, held their nerve when it mattered most. Shilanand Lakra, Dilpreet Singh and Abhishek converted for India, while Harmanpreet and Sukhjeet Singh missed their attempts. For Belgium, Tom Boon, Arthur de Sloover, Alexander Hendrickx and Roman Duvekot found the net as the hosts secured victory.

India had made a bright start, with Abhishek opening the scoring in the sixth minute after his shot deflected off a Belgian stick. Belgium gradually took control, with Duvekot and Hugo Labouchere putting them 2-1 ahead.

Harmanpreet restored parity through a penalty corner in the 31st minute, but Nicolas de Kerpel restored Belgium’s lead in the fourth quarter. India refused to surrender and eventually forced the shootout through Harmanpreet’s late strike.

The defeat brought a disappointing end to India’s medal hopes. They had beaten Wales 3-1 and Pakistan 5-3 in the first round before losing to England. In the next stage, defeats to the Netherlands and Argentina ended their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

India had entered the tournament dreaming of ending a 51-year wait for a World Cup medal, but ultimately had to settle for eighth place.