India lose 5-2 to Belgium in hockey semi-final

Tokyo :     Alexander Hendrickx’s hat-trick gave Belgium a 5-2 win over India to secure their place in the men’s Olympic hockey final.
Loick Luypaert put Belgium ahead but India were 2-1 up at the end of the first quarter, thanks to goals by Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh.
Hendrickx smashed home two penalty corners and a penalty stroke before John-John Dohmen’s late goal.
Belgium will face the winner of Germany’s semi against Australia.
Hendrickx’s hat-trick for Belgium, who are ranked second in the world, was his third treble of the tournament and ends India’s bid to claim an overdue an Olympic gold.
India are historically the most successful team in Olympic hockey history, but the last of their eight golds came back in 1980.
They will play the other beaten semi-finalist in a play-off match for the bronze medal.