Hockey World Cup 2018: 3 reasons why Belgium won against Pakistan

#2 Careless Pakistan defenders lack resilience

Pakistan defenders were also dispossessed too many times within their own half (Image Courtesy: FIH)

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.