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Belgium beat India 4-0 in the semi-final of the Hockey World League (HWL) semis to book a place in the final and seal a place in the Olympics. India, ranked 9th in the world, had beaten Malaysia in the quarter-final while Belgium were given a scare by France before they got the better of the French 5-4 to book a place in the semis.
The Belgians, buoyed by the home support, took the lead as early as the 2nd minute when Tom Boon was left free on the goal. The dangerous attacker’s shot was going in goal, but was deflected in by Florent van Aubel to shock the Indians, who had not even settled in the match. However, India attacked soon after, but Satbir Singh's deflection was brilliantly saved on the line by Vincent Vanasch.
8 minutes into the first quarter, Belgium were awarded a penalty corner. The resulting drag-flick was saved by PR Sreejesh, but the ball went straight to Tanguy Cosyns, who took a touch and hit a rasping drive, which went past the Indian goalkeeper and doubled Belgium’s lead. The quarter ended with the scoreline reading 2-0 in the home side’s favour.
Although Belgium started the second quarter on the front foot, the first real chance of the quarter fell to the Indians. A mistake by Belgium resulted in Satbir Singh going one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his shot was saved well by Vanasch, who dived to his right to deny the Indian. Both teams failed to bother either keeper for the rest of the half as Belgium tightened their defence, and India kept the Belgians quiet at the other end.
No second half joy for India this time
India had, in their last two matches, played much better in the second half. But, this time the home side were having none of that. India were awarded a penalty corner and despite the presence of the returning Rupinder Pal Singh, India failed to reduce the deficit as Rupinder’s shot sailed wide of the goal. Belgium, on their second penalty corner of the match, increased their lead through Van Aubel.
Tom Boom’s penalty corner was saved onto the post by a diving Sreejesh, but Van Aubel pounced on the loose ball and hit the back of the net with a reverse shot. Manpreet’s pace earned India another penalty corner and Rupinder had a chance to redeem himself. But, his lack of game time was evident as this time also, the ball went off-target.
In the fourth quarter, the home side kept the pressure going and forayed into the Indian D on numerous occasions. On one such occasion, they hit the back of the net, but the referee had already blown the whistle for a penalty corner for Belgium. The resultant drag-flick was stopped by the onrushing Manpreet Singh, but with his foot, so the Belgians got another short corner. This time, Boon hit the target, but Sreejesh saved well to keep it 3-0.
In the 53rd minute, Belgium were awarded yet another penalty corner. Sreejesh made 3 quick saves, but Florent van Aubel was left free in front of goal and he deflected a cross in to get his hat-trick and make it 4 for Belgium. In the final minute, India were awarded a penalty corner and Jasjit Singh took it this time, but the Belgium defence were quick off their line and blocked the shot. The hooter went off soon after to doom India to the 3rd place match.
India will face the loser between Australia and Great Britain, while Belgium move into the finals to face the winners between the same match. The hosts also booked a place in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
