Belgium Wins Maiden Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, Defeating Indian Men’s Hockey Team in Final

Belgium Defeats India 1-0 to Win Maiden Sultan Azlan Shah Cup

In a thrilling final, Belgium edged past India 1-0 to clinch their first Sultan Azlan Shah Cup title in Malaysia. The match was decided by Thibeau Stockbroekx’s solitary strike in the 34th minute, leaving India to settle for silver. This victory marks Belgium’s maiden triumph in the prestigious invitational tournament and only their second appearance overall.

India entered the final on the back of a dominating 14-3 win against Canada but struggled to convert their opportunities. The team earned three penalty corners through Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, and Sanjay, who had been prolific throughout the tournament, yet failed to breach the Belgian defence.

Interestingly, India’s only prior defeat in the tournament was also to Belgium, a 3-2 loss in the league stage, hinting at the European side’s tactical edge.

How India Fell Short

The first half ended goalless, but it was packed with drama. Belgium started strongly, dominating ball possession and testing the Indian defence from the flanks, forcing sharp saves from the goalkeeper. India, meanwhile, took time to find their rhythm, struggling to connect attacks effectively.

Despite a high press and increased circle entries in the third quarter, India couldn’t penetrate Belgium’s disciplined defensive setup. Stockbroekx’s 34th-minute strike shifted momentum, putting India under pressure.

In the final quarter, India launched desperate attacks to equalize, but Belgium maintained a structured defence and managed the clock efficiently to secure the win.

With key stars like Manpreet Singh and Hardik Singh rested, the responsibility fell on India’s younger players, who nonetheless kept the contest competitive against a world-class team.