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Belgium made short work of a lacklustre Pakistan to book their ticket for the quarter-finals of the Hockey World Cup 2018. They defeated Pakistan by 5-0 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday evening.
Belgium are up to their real task when they face Germany two days later. But considering their performance, the Germans will endure a tough time to stop this talented Belgian bunch.
The Olympic silver-medallist scored two goals in the first quarter. Alexander Hendrickx converted a penalty corner in the 10th minute. Three minutes later, captain Thomas Briels increased the margin after brilliant skills from Simon Gougnard.
Thereafter, Belgium scored a goal in each of the three quarter. Cedric Charlier, Sebastien Dockier and Tom Boon registered their name on the score sheet.
Belgium will now face Germany in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
#3 Complete domination from the first whistle
The intent was clear for this Belgium team before they took the field against Pakistan. Give no chance to your opponents to stage a comeback.
As a result, the Belgian players started dominating from the first second of the match looking for an early goal. They got their first penalty corner in just 21 seconds but failed to utilise it.
Belgium tried to hold the possession from the start. It didn’t take long for them to get on to the scoreboard.
The second of the two back-to-back penalty corners was converted by their best person for the job Alexander Hendrickx.
The Red Lions kept their momentum and looked for another goal. They got it through some fine work by Simon Gougnard, who found Thomas Briels on the edge of the goalmouth and the Belgium captain made no mistake.
The two goals in the first quarter eased off some pressure of the Olympic silver-medallist team but they made it look like a practice match by scoring goals with ease and testing Pakistan defence on every available opportunity.
#2 Careless Pakistan defenders lack resilience
Pakistan needed two things to do to qualify for the quarter-finals – to maintain the shape of their defence and utilise most of the opportunities that comes in their way. In both ways, they failed miserably.
Under heavy pressure from Belgian players, Pakistan defenders were feeling uncomfortable from the very first minute.
During the first penalty corner, Mubashar Ali was standing on the left side of the goal. Hendrickx’s shot was low and powerful. Had Mubashar been extra cautious, he would have saved the shot.
Pakistan defenders were also dispossessed too many times within their own half. Their tackle and blocks were also not good.
That came to the fore front during the second goal when Gougnard easily dribbled past couple of defenders near the baseline to pass Briels.
In fact, a player like Briels was left unmarked inside the circle and the Belgian captain punished the mistake with a goal. In the third quarter, Ali Shan was dispossessed inside the circle and Cedric Charlier scored.
Pakistan upped their ante in the next three quarters but it was not for them to save from the blushes. The strikers lacked purpose and despite 15 circle penetrations, Pakistan failed to score a goal.
#1 Gougnard, Denayer shines amidst brilliant teamwork
Simon Gougnard earned his second successive man of the match award and it was certainly a deserving one. For, all the work he had done on the field helped his team immensely to register a comfortable win against Pakistan.
Gougnard was attacking from the right side and left his first impression when his dribble and skills helped him to get past Pakistan defenders. He found Briels at right place, who scored without any obstruction.
The fourth goal came from a brilliant piece of teamwork, initiated by Gougnard again. He found the ball on the right side and exchanged passes with Charlier.
The ball fell to Gougnard’s stick again, who found Sebastien Dockier in a favourable position.
Apart from Gougnard, Arthur van Doren was another player who made life tough for Pakistan attackers. He was an ever-present figure in the Belgian defence and never allowed a chance to score.
Belgium produced a brilliant piece of team game in the match. The understanding between the players was commendable and the communication too was brilliant.
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