IANS

Boom, Jun 27: India defeated hosts Belgium 4-1 in a crucial match of the BDO Champions Challenge hockey tournament here on Tuesday and stayed on course for a place in the finals.

India, who had defeated England 3-2 on Sunday, led 3-1 at half-time.

India are now joint second with Argentina with six points. New Zealand lead the table with nine points. All six teams have now played three matches each.

Sandeep Singh gave India the lead in the 13th when his cracking flick went inside the goal. It was an indirect penalty corner conversion.

Prabjhot Singh increased the lead five minutes later through a field goal. A mistake by inside the striking circle by captain Thomas van den Balck resulted in Singh getting hold of the ball and hitting it into an empty goal from close range.

Belgium's new penalty corner ace Gregory Gucasoff reduced the margin in the 26th minute. His flick gave him his third goal in the tournament.

Minutes before the interval Shivendra Singh made it 3-1 for India.

Gurbaj Singh hit the ball across from the right flank and it is deflected off a player's stick towards the goal before hitting the post. Shivendra pounced on to the opportunity and scooped the ball into the goal in the 31st minute.

After the interval, the game remained goalless for a long time.

Former India captain and defender Dilip Tirkey broke the monotony with his 68th minute strike, off a penalty corner. His slightly elevated hit touched goal-keeper Cédric Degreve on way to the goal.

India next match is against Argentina on Thursday is a crucial one and could well decide one of the two finalists.