Antwerp: On what should have been a celebratory evening for Indian hockey, veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh’s 400th international match ended on a somber note as India fell 2-3 to Australia in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2024-25 clash in Antwerp. Despite a valiant performance, India could not overturn an early Australian onslaught, extending their losing streak in the European leg of the tournament.
Manpreet, who joined an elite club of Indian players to have played 400 international games, was greeted with applause and respect across the Wilrijkse Plein stadium. But the script didn’t unfold as hoped. Within five minutes of play, Australia fired in two quick goals through Tim Brand and Blake Govers, responding almost instantly to an early lead taken by India’s Sanjay in the 3rd minute.
Rapid Fire Start, Swift Comeback
India had drawn first blood in the contest when Sanjay converted a penalty corner rebound with sharp awareness. The early lead was, however, erased in less than a minute. Tim Brand’s equaliser in the 4th minute, followed by Blake Govers’ powerful strike in the 5th, gave Australia control of the game and rattled the Indian defence.
With end-to-end action and high tempo, the first ten minutes were among the most frenetic seen so far in this leg of the league. Australia maintained their 2-1 lead at the end of the first quarter and soon doubled down on their dominance.
Australia Tightens Grip
In the 18th minute, Cooper Burns found space inside the circle and extended the Australian lead to 3-1. The Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak was kept busy as the Aussies launched repeated attacks. India earned a few penalty corners in response but failed to capitalise, ending the first half two goals behind.
India’s Push in the Second Half
India came out stronger after the break, showing greater intent and cohesion. Their efforts bore fruit in the 36th minute when Abhishek’s clever stickwork created space for Dilpreet Singh, who finished cleanly to reduce the margin to 2-3. That goal injected fresh energy into the Indian camp, and they began pressing high, hunting for the equaliser.
However, Australia’s defence stayed compact, denying India clear-cut chances. Despite several promising build-ups, the Men in Blue couldn’t find the breakthrough they needed in the final quarter.
A Night of Mixed Emotions
Reflecting on the defeat, Manpreet Singh, visibly emotional on his milestone day, said, “It’s a tough loss, especially on a day like this. We’ve been playing well, but something’s missing at the finish. These are narrow defeats, but they hurt. We’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
India’s Head Coach and team management acknowledged the mounting pressure, especially after six consecutive defeats. But they also praised the team’s resilience and commitment.
As India prepares for the remaining matches in the Pro League, the focus will be on turning close contests into victories. For Manpreet Singh, though the result did not go his way, his 400th cap stands tall—a symbol of consistency, leadership, and an enduring legacy in Indian hockey.
