Ipoh (Malaysia), Dec 1 (UNI) Belgium defeated India 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter to win the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2025 in Malaysia.
Thanks to Thibeau Stockbroekx’s lone goal in the match in the 34th minute that helped Belgium to secure its maiden Sultan Azlan Shah title. This marks Belgium’s second appearance in one of the most prestigious invitational hockey tournaments on the international calendar, according to Olympics.com.They had finished sixth in their only previous appearance in the tournament back in 2008.
For world No. 7 India, the silver marked their second consecutive runners-up finish at the event. The team had last featured in 2019, when they lost the final to the Republic of Korea.
India remains the second-most successful side in the competition’s history, with five titles, although their last victory came 15 years ago in 2007.
Sunday’s final saw Belgium, who had edged out India 3-2 in the group stage earlier in the tournament, dominate the early exchanges. The European side created the more dangerous chances and kept the Indian defence on their toes.
The Indian defensive unit, backed by goalkeepers Shashikumar Mohith Honnenahalli and Pawan, held firm to keep the first half scoreless.
The deadlock, however, was broken soon after halftime when Stockbroekx applied the finishing touch to a flowing Belgian attack.
India responded immediately with a penalty corner but failed to convert, and moments later, they survived a scare when Belgian skipper Arthur Van Doren narrowly missed on the counterattack.
Belgium nearly doubled its lead in the 49th minute, but Tom Boon’s effort from Stockbroekx’s pass was ruled out for dangerous play. India committed players forward in search of an equaliser in the closing stages, yet it was Belgium who continued to generate the clearer chances.
Indian goalkeeper Pawan produced a series of crucial saves to keep the contest alive, but the European side held on until the final hooter.
Earlier, New Zealand clinched the bronze medal with a dominant 6–1 victory over hosts Malaysia.
