India scored a not-so-confident 3-2 win in their third test to take a 2-1 lead over a fighting Belgium in their five-test series at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Monday evening.
Trailing by a sixth minute goal by Charles Vandewghe, India equalized through Raghunath (33nd minute). Dilip Tirkey converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute for a 2-1 lead.
With Belgian defender Jerome Dekeyser making good of Prabodh Tirkey's lapse to find parity in the 63nd minute, Rajpal Singh scored the winner with three minutes for the hooter (3-2).
The Indians' performance was a shade below that put up by them on Sunday.
As in the earlier two test matches, the first half spoils were even among the rivals. It was a matter of cashing in on the chances and the Belgians showed it in greater measure in the sixth minute itself when the hosts were not even well settled.
Winger Patrice Houssein went in menacingly and shot towards the Indian goal. Goalkeeper Bharat Chetri, who was in his best form on Sunday, tried to swing his stick to deflect the ball but missed it totally. Charles Vandeweghe, who was in an ideal position, trapped the ball and slammed it home.
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