Melbourne: India cruised into semi-final stages of the Champions Trophy followed by a 1-0 victory over Belgium at the State Hockey Centre here today.
This is for the first time since 2004, that the men-in-blue are looking on course for their best-ever finish in the tournament after a fourth place eight years back.
India got the winning goal in the 13th minute through Nitin Thimmiah after he fired in a powerful shot to the right corner of the cage.
That was one of the few chances India got the match and resorted to defensive tactics after Belgium displayed supreme game in the mid-field.
Belgium forced six penalty corners against India's one.
India’s win came largely due to the performance of the back-line comprising of V R Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh and goalkeeper T R Potunuri.
This is the first time in three encounters that India beat Belgium after going down in the final of the Champions Challenge last year and in the preliminary league of the Olympic Games in London.
In the semifinals, India will take on the winner of the other quarterfinal match between four-time defending champions Australia and England.
By Indian Sports News Network