The Indian men's hockey team went down fighting 2-3 against Belgium in their second pool game of the 2025 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh on Tuesday (November 25). In a rain-delayed match spread over two days, the Belgian strikers ran riot in the opening half before the Indians came into their own in the second.A brace from Roman Duvekot, who scored two opportunistic goals from open play, was backed up by a penalty corner from Nicolas de Kerpel. Abhishek and Shilanand Lakra were the goal scorers for India.The Indians had earlier defeated Korea 1-0 in their Azlan Shah Cup opener and are now fourth on the points table in the six-team competition.Belgium hit the ground running with Arthur de Sloover managing to penetrate the Indian circle early, even as the rain pelted down in Ipoh on Monday evening.With the rainwater on the pitch slowing down ball movement considerably, the officials decided to stop play just three minutes after push-back. The match was subsequently restarted on Tuesday morning.Pawan was called into action in the 5th minute of play after Tommy Willems had made a dangerous run into the Indian circle.Roman Duvekot seized on a peach of an assist from Arno van Dessel in the 18th minute to open the scoring for Belgium. Victor Foubert very nearly doubled the lead a minute later with a powerful strike from close range, but Pawan came up with a superb reflex save.Dilpreet Singh got the ball into the Belgian goal in the 24th minute. The goal was overturned for dangerous play, although replays showed the ball having also touched Yashdeep Siwach's body en route to the circle.The Indians who looked distinctly uncomfortable in the rain found their feet immediately after the downpour stopped.Surrounded by three Belgian defenders, Abhishek beat Loic van Doren with a brilliant effort to level things up for India in the 33rd minuteBelgium earned their fifth penalty corner for a back stick in the 45th minute. Nicolas de Kerpel went low and straight with his drag flick, giving Mohith HS no chance whatsoever.The Indian defence failed to clear a shot on target cleanly, allowing Roman Duvekot the chance to pounce on the ball and take a lightning strike in the 46th minute.An assist from Rajinder Singh was dispatched into the Belgian goal from close range by Shilanand Lakra in the 57th minute, but the Indians were unable to find an equaliser in their Azlan Shah Cup pool game.What's next for India at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025?Abhishek is expected to play a key role for India in the Azlan Shan Cup - Source: GettyIndia has three pool matches in hand in the ongoing Azlan Shah Cup. The Sanjay-led side will be up against hosts Malaysia on Wednesday. Malaysia beat Canada 3-2 after having split points with New Zealand 2-2.Fve-time champions India will then face New Zealand on Thursday. The Black Sticks defeated Korea 3-1 earlier today and look to be in fine fettle.The Men in Blue will wrap up the pool phase with a match against Canada on November 29. The final of the 2025 Azlan Shah Cup and the classification matches will be played on Sunday.