Amit Rohidas (10') and Simranjeet Singh (52') scored the goals for the impressive Indian team, who held onto their lead in the closing stages, after Belgium's Captain Felix Denayer had earlier equalized in the 33rd minute.
Riding high on confidence after their 5-1 win against Spain in their third match of the tour, the Indian team started their game against the hosts on the front-foot and earned a crucial Penalty Corner (PC) in the 10th minute. It was defender Amit Rohidas, who stepped up to take the strike, and placed the ball into the back of the net to give the World No. 5 team a 1-0 lead.
Belgium, however, did not sit back after conceding, and tried to break up play, and counter the Indian attacks. But some last-ditch defending from the Indian defenders coupled with some fine stops by PR Sreejesh meant that India took their one-goal lead into the quarter-break.
The second quarter had a similar story as the visiting team enjoyed possession in the opening few minutes, creating a few chances, but the quarter ended with the hosts putting intense pressure on their opponents. It meant that India took their lead into the half-time break, but the momentum being on Belgium's side.
The Belgium team showed their quality in the opening minutes of the third quarter as they earned themselves another Penalty Corner in the 33rd minute. It was Belgium's skipper Felix Denayer who took the responsibility to take the execution, and scored from a stunning drag-flick to bring back the teams on level terms. Both the teams seemed focused on not giving away possession cheaply, and tried to keep the possession as the quarter went on, meaning that the teams ended the period level at 1-1 with 15 minutes to play.
It was a fast start by the hosts as they won themselves a couple of PCs in quick succession at the start of the last quarter. However, India's Krishan B Pathak was up to the task again as he made some crucial diving saves to deny the hosts taking the lead. India, on the other hand, were happy to wait for the opportunity to attack at the right moment, and displayed that brilliantly when they scored a well-constructed team goal in the 52nd minute through Simranjeet Singh, which meant India secured their fourth consecutive win of the tour.
The Indian team will face Belgium again on Thursday in their fifth and last match of the tour.
( With inputs from IANS )