Hockey World Cup 2018: Spirited India play out 2-2 draw against Belgium
Bhubaneswar, Dec 2: Hosts India produced a spirited effort to eke out a 2-2 draw against Olympic silver medallists Belgium in an evenly-contested Pool C match of the men's hockey World Cup here on Sunday.
Pegged back by Alexander Hendricks' goal in the eighth minute, India made a valiant comeback after the change of ends, scoring two goals in the third and fourth quarter through Harmanpreet Singh (39th) and Simranjeet Singh (47th) to take the lead.
But the hosts defence faltered in the final minutes and conceded a late goal when Simon Gougnard scored in the 56th minute to draw level.
The draw, however, enabled world no. 5 India to take the top spot in Pool C ahead of Belgium on goal difference. Both teams have a win and a draw from two outings.
India had earlier blanked South Africa 5-0 in their opener, while world no. 3 Belgium pulled off a close 2-1 win over Canada.
India will play Canada in their last pool match on December 8, while Belgium will be up against South Africa on the same day.
Contrary to their last match, the Indians completely looked out of sorts in the opening two quarters against Belgium.
The hosts lacked co-ordination in the midfield and that gave them hardly any scoring opportunities.
The Indians were slow to get off the blocks as the Red Lions dominated the proceedings in the first two quarters, threatening the hosts defence on a number of occasions.
Belgium got their first scoring opportunity in the second minute in the form of back-to-back penalty corners but failed to get past the Indian defence.
Another penalty corner in the eighth minute resulted in Belgium's first goal through Hendricks, who sounded the board with a ground flick in between the legs of Indian custodian P R Sreejesh.
Seconds from the first quarter, India had their first real scoring chance when Mandeep deflected wide a Dilpreet Singh layover from Birendra Lakra's inch-perfect pass from the midfield.
Five minutes into the second quarter, Dilpreet Singh shot wide from top right after being fed by skipper Manpreet Singh.
Two minutes from half time, Tom Boon came tantalisingly close to doubling Belgium's lead when his neat deflection struck the post and went out.
But after the change of ends, the Indians changed gears and looked a completely different side.
The home team looked more organised and their mid-field finally started to create opportunities.
Three minutes into the third quarter, Dilpreet was denied by Belgium goalkeeper Vincent Van Asch from close range after being fed by Simranjeet.
Two minutes later India earned their first penalty corner and it took a gem of save from Vanasch to keep Harmanpreet Singh's powerful high flick out of the target.
Minutes later, Belgium had a chance but an alert Sreejesh denied Cedric Charlier.
India's relentless pressure earned them back-to-back penalty corners in the 39th minute, the second of which resulted in a penalty stroke which was ably converted by Harmanpreet to drew parity for the hosts.
Two minutes into the fourth and final quarter, Simranjeet scored his third goal of the tournament by tapping in from close range after being set up by Kothajit Singh's fine stick work from the left flank to hand India the lead.
Thereafter, the game witnessed end-to-end attacking stuff with both the teams pressing hard in search of the decisive goal.
Belgium withdrew their goal keeper for an extra player with little less than five minutes from the hooter and their move struck gold when Gougnard scored with a slapshot in between Sreejesh's legs late into the game.
The Indians made a few impressive moves in the remaining few minutes but Belgium defended stoutly despite the absence of their goalkeeper to share the spoils.
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Speculations about Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka gain momentum
Bengaluru (PTI): Speculations regarding the reshuffle of the Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet in the days ahead gained momentum in Karnataka with senior Minister Satish Jorkiholi on Wednesday stating that there are talks about such an exercise, but don't know when it will take place.
His statement came a day after Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, indicated the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle, noting that few ministers have been given a "message" about their term.
"There are talks that it will be done. Don't know when it will be done, but there is news that some people will be changed, to change some portfolios. Such discussions are on, but I don't know when...I have not asked for anything. It is left for the high command, whom they will give and how..." Jarkiholi, who is the PWD Minister said.
To a question about whether the reshuffle will be based on performance, he said, "Maybe... it may be they (leadership) are not satisfied with some, or they may continue with the existing ministers and not do the Cabinet rejig. Can't say...there are also several seniors in our party."
Asked about whether ministers will be ready to give up the post in case of a reshuffle, Jarkiholi said, "What the high command says is final....if the list comes from Delhi (leadership of Congress), there ends the story. One should vacate the house and go...Delhi is final."
Speculations are rife about Cabinet reshuffle and evaluation of the performance of the ministers, ever since the Lok Sabha poll results. There has also been a demand from a section of MLAs, who are ministerial aspirants, to be inducted into the Cabinet. Some have openly expressed their wish to become ministers.
CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy Shivakumar's Delhi visit is also adding to the speculations.
While Siddaramaiah is leaving for the national capital tomorrow evening, Shivakumar is already there.
Home Minister G Parameshwara earlier in the day said, Cabinet reshuffle is the prerogative of the chief minister and he would take a decision in consultation with the state Congress president and the high command.
"I don't know about it. Cabinet reshuffle is the chief minister's prerogative. He will consult the Pradesh Congress Committee president and go about it. This has been the practice. I don't know what decisions they make. It has to be done in consultation with the high command," Parameshwara said in response to a question on Cabinet reshuffle.
To a question about Shivakumar's statement, he said, "He (Shivakumar) is the party state president. I don't know what messages he has sent (to some ministers)."
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao in Shivamogga said there is no development for now regarding Cabinet reshuffle, but everyone should be prepared for it.
Reacting to Shivakumar's statement, he said, "It is good if the reshuffle is done after two years as others should also get the opportunity. He might have said it with that intention. It is not that only we should continue (as ministers) and others shouldn't come (to the post), so everyone should be prepared..."
Meanwhile, Jarkiholi, who is also seen as the contender for the KPCC president post, said party presidentship is not an easy job. It is a difficult task and a responsibility to handle.
"Everyone's cooperation is required to handle the post, but there is no discussion about changing the president post for now....it is not an easy job. It is like standing on thorns, it is a difficult job," he added.
Shivakumar, who has completed four years as president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), is currently on an extension in the post.
