At the site of their crowning glory, red-hot Belgium set to test India's skill and resolve

Jitendra Nath Misra


Higher-ranked Belgium are certain to test India when the teams meet this weekend. Image credit: Twitter/@TheHockeyIndia

In inter-state relations, memory and grievance remain the building blocks of rivalry. But if there is no history of animosity between two nations, the context changes. No matter from which perspective we look, the hockey rivalry between Belgium and India has no pressing contention. It is mostly sport that we discuss in this rivalry. So, it can be termed a trophy' rivalry — a sporting contest for its own sake.