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Contrary to prevailing pre-match expectations, South Africa began in stunning fashion by scoring a goal at a matter of seconds into the game.
Nicholas Spooner's first-minute strike might have caught them by surprise but Belgium demonstrated their tenacity with a power-packed performance in the subsequent 59 minutes.
In what was a crucial Pool C game in the 2018 Hockey World Cup, Belgium eroded India's advantage of goal difference with a scintillating 5-1 victory against South Africa at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Adopting a high press game, Belgium earned three penalty corners in the first half. Remarkably, they converted all of those into goals.
Simon Gougnard and Cedric Charlier chipped in with sublime field goals to extend the Red Lions' ascendancy.
Here are the three standout players from Belgium's clinical triumph against South Africa.
#3 Nicholas Spooner (South Africa)
In such a one-sided scoreline, one must be wondering how a South African player managed to slip into this list by displacing a Belgian.
However, Nicholas Spooner not only scored the sublime opening goal but also battled valiantly against the rampaging Red Lions.
Latching on to a long pass from the midfield, Spooner found himself in considerable empty space as only one defender as well as Vincent Vanasch stood in his vicinity.
The 27-year old went with the flow and unleashed a powerful shot as soon as he entered into the inner circle. The fact that he managed to beat such an accomplished goal-keeper stood as a testament to the ferocity and accuracy of his strike.
After scoring a rare World Cup goal for South Africa, Spooner impressed with his commitment to cover enormous distance on the field.
One such example came at the end of the second quarter when he dived full stretch on the turf to prevent a dangerous pass from Arthur van Doren reaching the lurking attacker. From attack to defence, the South African gave a glimpse of his versatile prowess.
#2 Simon Gougnard (Belgium)
Amidst many impressive performers for Belgium in this match, Simon Gougnard was deservedly bestowed with the Player of the Match award.
Aside from scoring a crucial second-quarter goal to lift the Red Lions into the lead, the 27-year old was also at the forefront of numerous incisive circle penetrations right throughout the game.
With Arthur van Doren and Loick Luypaert bewitching the South African midfielders, Gougnard received a long pass at a promising position.
After creating further space for himself by manoeuvring the ball, he produced a low and flat shot to leave no chance for goal-keeper Rassie Pieterse.
Gougnard's 18th-minute goal was extremely imperative for Belgium's cause as it allowed their strikers to breathe easier.
His tireless stick-work along the base-line also created quite a few scoring opportunities for the Red Lions.
#1 Alexander Hendrickx (Belgium)
Adding to his sparkling goal in Belgium's previous match against hosts India, Alexander Hendrickx created an indelible impact with a couple of potent drag-flicks against the feeble South African defence.
With the Red Lions getting frustrated after the early goal from South Africa, the onus was on their drag-flickers to rise to the occasion during the first quarter.
In the 14th minute, Hendrickx levelled the scores by unfurling a strong and low drag-flick to beat Rassie Pieterse.
Following Simon Gougnard's field goal at the start of the second quarter, Belgium were on the offensive. Upon earning another penalty corner, the stage was set for their drag-flickers to impose themselves on the South Africans.
During the 22nd minute, Hendrickx produced another sterling strike to consolidate the Red Lions' dominance. He could have had a hat-trick but his third drag-flick was revoked by video review as the ball did not leave the circle before the shot was launched.
Head to Sportskeeda to check out the Hockey World Cup schedule for the upcoming matches
