Belgian battle for India

The Hague (Holland): Injury-hit India will seek to reverse the tide of their recent encounters against Europe’s rising hockey powerhouse Belgium in the World Cup opener at the Kyocera Stadium here on Saturday.

Far removed from the glorious era of India’s global domination, the Sardar Singh-led team is aspiring to put up a credible show in the World Cup, where India has not qualified for the semifinals since the title triumph of 1975.

European Cup runners-up Belgium are the new force to contend with on the hockey turf after making impressive strides during the past three years.