(Hockey news) FIH Hockey Pro League action resumed in Antwerp, Belgium on Wednesday with plenty of thrilling encounters to keep fans entertained. There were mixed fortunes for the host nation whose men’s side were stunned by the plucky Irish team, while India would have hoped for more from the day’s proceedings. This is how the action unfolded…

(Women’s) India 0 – 5 Argentina

Argentina’s women continued their impressive form in the FIH Hockey Pro League with a convincing 5-0 win over India. Las Leonas dominated the match throughout, and were it not for a strong outing from Devi Kharibam Bichu in India’s goal, the scoreline could have been far worse. Agustina Gorzelany put Argentina ahead with a 13th minute penalty corner, and Valentina Raposo made it 2-0 from a classy penalty corner variation in the 24th minute.

Argentina continued to apply pressure throughout the second half. Victoria Miranda bagged her first senior international goal from open play in the 41st minute, and Julieta Jankunas added an exquisite reverse stick field goal. Jankunas grabbed her second to complete the scoring after India had a 16-yard hit turned over in the 59th minute.

Argentina’s Eugenia Trinchinetti was named player of the match and said: “We are really happy because every match against India is a hard game. I think that we have done a really good match today.”

(Women’s) Belgium 5 – 1 USA

Hosts Belgium didn’t give the USA any time or space on the ball in their comfortable 5-1 win. Astrid Bonami put the Belgians ahead with her first goal in the FIH Pro League after a quick counterattack in the 19th minute, and the USA then had to defend four penalty corners before half time to stay within reach.

Belgium started the second half well, Bonami snatching her second from open play in the 33rd minute, and Abi Raye scrambling one over two minutes later. Debutant Sophia Gladieux pulled one back for the Americans with an excellent 41st-minute field goal, but Bonami completed her hat-trick for Belgium two minutes later. Stephanie Vanden Borre then wrapped up the scoring from a penalty corner in the final minute.

Astrid Bonami was named player of the match thanks to her hat-trick for Belgium and said: “It feels great. I think it was very important for me to score today and to show what I am capable of.”

(Men’s) India 2 – 2 Argentina (SO: 5 – 4)

It was an engaging encounter as third-placed India drew 2-2 against fourth-placed Argentina, with India winning the shootout 5-4 for a bonus point. India applied tremendous pressure in the first quarter, Mandeep Singh eventually opening the scoring for India with a deflection from open play in the 11th minute. Argentina responded well and were rewarded when Lucas Martinez tapped in a penalty corner rebound in the 20th minute.

The third quarter served up very few opportunities, but the game opened up in the final period with both teams chasing a win. Lalit Kumar Upadhyay put India ahead with a 55th-minute tap-in, and Argentina were forced to pull their keeper off to chase a draw with just two minutes remaining. The match ended in dramatic fashion when Tomas Domene equalised for Argentina from a drag flick with just seconds left on the clock. With the points shared it was India who won the shootout to claim the extra point.

India’s goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was named player of the match award and said: “Unfortunately the last minute we conceded that goal, we’ve got to avoid that. But when you are playing a team like Argentina which is really skillful, really aggressive, and really exciting teams, we should expect that from them. But my team has done a wonderful job, they got enough scores when we really required it.”

(Men’s) Belgium 1 – 2 Ireland

Ireland worked tirelessly to upset hosts Belgium 2-1 in a riveting clash and so earned their first ever points in the FIH Hockey Pro League. The Irish came out positively against the much-favoured Olympic champions and dominated the first half. They were rewarded in the 11th minute when a long pass into the circle took two touches before falling to Matthew Nelson for a deflection at the post. Lee Cole then extended their lead to 2-0 with a penalty stroke in the 20th minute.

Belgium gradually assumed more control through the second half, but Ireland’s defensive effort was immense. Guillermo Hainaut’s 55th-minute field goal for the hosts set up a tense finish. Despite being a man down, Ireland hung on to thwart the Belgians who were pressing hard after pulling off their goalkeeper, and record a memorable win.

Player of the match went to Irish captain Sean Murray, who reflected on Ireland’s historic victory: “It took a few games to get there, but we knew coming here it was going to be tough… We believe that we can win, we can get results, and we showed that today with a hard-fought win. We defended with our hands on the ground, hearts on the line, and it worked.”

Top Scorer Armband

To celebrate the talented goal-scorers throughout the season the FIH introduced the Top Scorer Armband, which is being worn by the leading goal-scorers in the men’s and women’s competitions. This is a visual mark for the fans, and for the players to wear proudly, match after match.

Current Top Scorers:

Women – Yibbi Jansen (NED) (15 goals)

Men – Jip Janssen (NED) (9 goals)

To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, 

FIH Hockey Pro League – 22 May 2024

Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein-Antwerp, (BEL)

WOMEN

Result: Match 33 (W)

India 0 – 5 Argentina

Player of the match: Eugenia Trinchinetti (ARG)

Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Kamile Mockaityte (LTU), Alison Keogh (IRL-video)

Result: Match 34 (W)

Belgium 5 – 1 United States

Player of the match: Astrid Bonami (BEL)

Umpires: Alison Keogh (IRL), Ole Ingwersen (GER), Annelize Rostron (RSA-video)

MEN

Result: Match 33 (M)

India 2 – 2 Argentina (SO: 5 – 4)

Player of the match: PR Sreejesh (IND)

Umpires: Jonas Van’T Hek (NED), Sean Edwards (ENG), Sarah Wilson (SCO-video)

Result: Match 34 (M)

Belgium 1 – 2 Ireland 

Player of the match: Sean Murray (IRE)

Umpires: Sarah Wilson (SCO), Raphaël Adrien (GER), Jonas Van’T Hek (NED-video)

Also read: Nearing a century of Olympic Excellence: India Men