Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey: Pawan's heroics in vain as  India go down 0-1 to Belgium in final

An error-prone Indian men's hockey side went down 0-1 to Belgium in the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh on Sunday (November 30). The Red Lions have thus won the tournament for the first time while also dashing India's hopes of clinching the gold after a 15-year wait.

Thibeau Stockbroekx broke the deadlock after half-time, even as the Indians wasted a couple of penalty corners with two mistraps at the top of the circle. Craig Fulton's chargers were also less than precise with their final passes in the attacking circle.

A series of defensive lapses gifted the Belgians numerous scoring chances, but the Red Lions were kept at bay thanks to an inspired show from Pawan in goal.

The Red Lions forced an early turnover in the seventh minute. Roman Duvekot, who scored against India in the pool game, failed to direct a long ball goalwards. India earned their first penalty corner in the tenth minute, but Jugraj Singh's drag flick was off target.

Both teams went into the long breather of the Azlan Shah Cup final with no goals to show for their efforts. Belgium managed 15 circle entries as compared to the Indians, who had just 4, but the Red Lions could direct only 2 shots on goal.

Karthi Selvam attempted a first-time snapshot immediately after half-time. Vincent Vanasch refused to be beaten.

An unmarked Abhishek, who was positioned right at the goalmouth, needed to tap the ball into the net with only the goalkeeper to beat, but failed to latch on.

At the other end, Nicolas de Kerpel dodged past a couple of Indian defenders near the backlines to send in a peach of a cross, which was neatly dispatched into the back of the net by Thibeau Stockbroekx in the 34th minute.

Dilpreet Singh earned a penalty corner in the 35th minute. Amit Rohidas came onto the pitch with instructions from Craig Fulton, but the penalty corner wasn't stopped properly.

Abhishek won his side their third penalty corner in the 42nd minute, but the ball was mistrapped yet again, much to the dismay of the Indian bench.

Roman Duvekot came up with a well-directed reverse after a defensive lapse from Vivek Sagar Prasad in the 47th minute. Pawan in goal pulled off a vital save.

Tom Boon had the ball in the net in the 50th minute after picking up on a pass from Thibeau Stockbroekx. The goal was disallowed for dangerous play.

Pawan continued to deny the Tokyo Olympic champions a second goal until he was taken off at the death, but the Indians failed to find the elusive equaliser.

Goals galore at 31st Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

A total of 107 goals were scored in the Azlan Shah Cup - Source: Hockey India

A total of 107 goals have been scored during the course of 18 matches played at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, with 58 of them coming from open play, while 40 came off penalty corners. Nine goals were scored from penalty strokes.

Belgium and India scored the most goals (24) during the pool stages of the Azlan Shah Cup competition, double the tally of New Zealand and Malaysia, who slotted in 12 each as a team.

Sam Lane of New Zealand ended up as the highest scorer in the competition with a tally of 9 goals, having scored a whopping 5 goals during the classification game against Malaysia. Tom Boon and Thibeau Stockbroekx of Belgium scored six each.