Hero Hockey World League Final: Great Britain hold Belgium to a 3-3 draw

Great Britain drew with Belgium and moved to the top of Pool A

Great Britain produced a battling performance to hold Belgium to a 3-3 draw, a result good enough to seal a first place finish in Pool A at the Hero Hockey World League Final 2015 in Raipur.

The Brits lead on three occasions in a pulsating match, with Phil Roper, Alastair Brogdon and Alan Forsyth’s goals were cancelled out by strikes from Red Lions stars Thomas Briels, Tanguy Cosyns and Tom Boon.

Belgium threw absolutely everything at their opponents in the final stages, and even replaced goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch with an outfield player in a bid to get the goal which would have put them top of the standings.

However, excellent defending ensured that GB claimed the point that they needed to win the Pool, with Australia taking second place ahead of third-ranked Belgium and Canada in fourth.

The result brought the Pool phase of the competition to an end and confirmed the match-ups for the Quarter Finals.

On Wednesday 2nd December, Pool B winners Netherlands will take on Pool A’s fourth placed team Canada at18:30 (Indian Standard Time), with Pool A’s second-placed side Australia facing Germany, who finished third in Pool B, at 20:45.

On Thursday 3rd December at 18:30, Pool A winners Great Britain face host nation India, who finished fourth in Pool B, while Pool B’s second placed team Argentina going head to head with Pool A’s third-ranked team Belgium at 20:45.

Hero Man of the Match: Simon Gougnard (BEL)