BHUBANESWAR: India and Belgium played to a 2-2 draw at a packed Kalinga Stadium on Sunday to keep open their chances of topping Group C and qualifying for the quarter-finals of the World Cup alive.
India will play Canada in their last pool match on Dec 8 while South Africa will face Belgium on the same day, and goals scored would decide who top the group.
Belgium were the better team for 35 minutes, and got their lead through Alexander Hendrickx in the eight minute.
And even though they dominated play after the goal, India defended well.
A penalty corner in the 39th minute was turned into a penalty stroke, and Harmanpreet Singh converted from the spot.
India then took the lead in the 47th minute when Simranjeet Singh tapped home from close range.
But Belgium came back strongly and Simon Gougnard gave them a lifeline with a 56th minute attempt,
In another Group C match, South Africa and Canada played to a 1-1 draw. Both teams have an equal chance to finish third in their group and advance to the second stage of the tournament.
Nqobile Ntuli gave South Africa the lead off a 43rd minute field attempt, and Canada equalised in the 45th minute when Scott Tupper scored off a penalty stroke.
Earlier, India had defeated South Africa 5-0 while Belgium beat Canada 2-1.