The head-to-head record between India and Belgium in men’s hockey represents a true story of the transition of world hockey history versus a world hockey upstart, where historically successful nations face off against European forces that have molded themselves into modern-day forces. For almost a century, India and Belgium have participated in memorable and historic matches in Olympic Games, World Cups, Test series, and various international competitions. The 93-match saga encompasses more than just statistics, however; it illustrates new developments in each country’s style of play, generational changes in talent, and new dynamics in the field hockey world.
The Beginning: India’s Hockey Thanks to Belgium
The India vs Belgium hockey rivalry began on May 18, 1928 at the Amsterdam Olympics, which, as will be seen in subsequent matches, was a loud declaration of India’s intent. In this very first meeting, India defeated Belgium with a record 9-0 scoreline. This was India’s first significant step towards believing that they were going to win gold (which they subsequently did) in their first gold medal in hockey, but it was also the announcement that the world was now aware that India was a force to be reckoned with.
At the 1928 Olympics, India went undefeated in its matches, scoring 29 goals and having no goals scored against it. This match against Belgium helped to reaffirm India’s great superiority at that time, during the golden age of Indian hockey, which ultimately lasted from the 1930s to the 1950s.
Overall Head-to-Head Collective Total in terms of Match Results
As of this writing, India and Belgium have played a total of 93 matches. India won 51 matches, Belgium won 26 matches, and 16 matches ended in draws. India scored 240 total goals in the matches while Belgium scored 166 total goals. These figures clearly suggest that India historically dominated the match play of this historic rivalry, especially in the earlier and mid-20th century when India was a dominant force in world hockey. However, in more recent decades, and particularly since 2000, a competitive aspect to rivalry has entered, as Belgium has found its place on the world hockey stage in its own right.
| Category | India | Belgium |
| Matches Played | 93 | 93 |
| Wins | 51 | 26 |
| Draws | 16 | 16 |
| Goals Scored | 240 | 166 |
| Biggest Win | 9-0 (1928) | 7-2 (1999) |
When it comes to total wins and total goals, India continues to be in the lead, but they are more evenly matched in recent years with Belgium’s success in pressure situations making a difference.
Golden Age: India an Unconscious Reign
During what is referred to as the golden age of hockey, and more specifically from the 1920s to late 1980s, India had an advantage over almost every nation to play hockey and Belgium was no exception. The two teams would face each other often in Olympic Games, Champions Trophies, and friendly Test Series, with India winning most of the occasions.
The super-charged Indian style of play, involving super-quick dribbling, passing, and flair for field goals, had rendered almost all other teams helpless to a certain degree. You can see their dominance, in part, by looking at the head to head where they won more than half of the combined matches and often by big margins.
Even in the 1960’s to 1980’s bilateral Test series, India often beat Belgium by wide margins. The Indian team became very confident and their sportsmanship benefited from seeing Belgium as a lesser challenge.
Changing The Tide: Belgium’s Rise as Dominant
The changing narrative for India started in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While India struggled with problems of consistency, volatile coaching positions and a lack of infrastructure investment, Belgium quietly developed to dominate Hockey by progressive means of trust, systematic ways through a strong student/grassroots coaching system, with integrated sports science, and a long term directional vision.
Belgium’s first statement of intent came in a Test match with India in 1999, in which they beat India 7-2 in Auderghem. Belgium’s biggest win over India would mark a turning point for hockey in Europe.
Belgium’s transformation from a mid-table team to a global giant was achieved in the 2010s. Belgium claimed silver at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, crowned the World Champions in 2018 and won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games (held in 2021 due to the pandemic). During this timeframe, when India and Belgium played it out, they would often be very close encounters, with the outcome decided by one goal or via shootouts.
The 21st Century: Revived Rivalry
India has the overall advantage when it comes to head-to-head encounters, but modern captivating encounters have generally been much more even. With players such as Arthur Van Doren, Tom Boon and Vincent Vanasch, Belgium is increasingly fielding a team that has strong foundations in discipline, physical fitness, and tactical ability.
India meanwhile, has had a resurgence in the past few years particularly with Graham Reid (2019–2023) as their coach, and the calibre of players such as Manpreet Singh, PR Sreejesh and Harmanpreet Singh leading the way. The semi-final of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where Belgium defeated India 5-2 would become a pivotal turning point for both countries – it not only snuffed out India’s hopes of a gold medal but, importantly, it highlighted Belgium’s prowess on that podium.
Nevertheless, India won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics; this coincided with India’s first Olympic medal for 41 years; a resumption of the rivalry, especially in events like the FIH Pro League and the Hockey World Cup, was bound to happen.
Playing Styles & Tactics
India and Belgium have diverging hockey philosophies.
India’s traditional strengths are fluid attack, stick skills, counterattack strength and defending has improved with their structure and efficiency at penalty corner time.
Belgium on the other hand, is all about structure, with the game built from the back, to waiting until the right opportunity arrives within the lesser structured teams they face. Their penalty corners, as well as their game management for tempo and ´sense of moments´ is the best in the world.
This dynamic means every encounter is a game of chess where India is trying to break Belgium’s tactical discipline while Belgium is trying to outplay India’s attacking fluidity and tempo with a structured build-up and precision finishing.
Memorable Encounters
- 1928 Amsterdam Olympics – India 9 – 0 Belgium
A historical first and India’s biggest win over Belgium. Dhyan Chand at his best and, this match marked opening entry of establishing India Olympic dominance.
- 1999 Auderghem Test Match – Belgium 7 – 2 India
A historic victory for Belgium, which heralded their transition as a serious hockey playing country.
- Tokyo 2020 Olympics Semi-final – Belgium 5 – 2 India
A high stakes engagement where the Belgium experience outthought India’s youthful exuberance. An enjoyable campaign out, though bitterly disappointing in the end result.
FIH Pro League Match-up – (2022-2025)
It is really exciting to observe the countries compete in the FIH Pro League; at times, it has been extremely close to the point of penalty shootouts. These competitive games represent the thin line currently separating the two teams.
Future: Next Phase
This rivalry between India and Belgium is poised to grow even closer. With both teams now regularly in the top 5 teams in the FIH world rankings it will mean they are regularly playing each other in the later stages of major tournaments. The upcoming FIH World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris should create the newest installment in this thrilling rivalry.
India’s focus on grassroots player development, developing foreign coaches, and investment in sports analytics are beginning to show results. At the same time, Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ performance is at a high level, the younger age groups in Belgium are now starting to push through the system too.
Conclusion
The men’s hockey rivalry between India and Belgium dates back nearly 100 years from one nation clearly being dominant, to now two excellent teams with some great rivalry. India has had a great history of great players and still great success at the top. Belgium’s journey and continued success is telling a different story now.
Both teams are aspiring for excellence, and with so many fixtures coming up it looks promising with many more exhilarating fixtures, exhilarating finishes and new highlights yet to come. India vs Belgium is, in a game like hockey driven by the highs and lows of passion, connection and commitment, one of the most exhilarating matches you can have in international hockey.
