Men's Hockey World Cup 2018, Match 1: Belgium vs Canada, Live Score, Commentary & Updates

BELGIUM 2 - CANADA 1

Updated: 28 November 2018 18:38 IST - Published: 28 November 2018 12:58 IST

That's it from us - this is Subhashish - do not go anywhere just yet - next up is India vs South Africa at 1900 IST

The Red Lions enjoyed 66% possession in the Canadian half but should have scored a few more - as it stands though the Olympic silver medalists earn full points from their opener. Seven PCs for the Belgians with none converted. Canada converted the second of the two PCs they earned

Sixteen shots on goal and 33 circle penetrations for Belgium - 6 shots on goal and 9 circle entries for the Canadians (with the most effective ones in Q4)

Well, well, well, a cliffhanger was the last thing we expected as the Red Lions were all over the Canadians in the first half - and in the third quarter too - Shane McLeod's side failed to find a third goal in spite of dominating play and very nearly paid the price as Canada reduced the deficit - and very nearly found an equalizer!!!

FULL-TIME: BELGIUM 2 - CANADA 1

TOM BOON FIRES IN TWO POWERFUL FLICKS - THE CANADIAN RUNNERS DOING A GREAT JOB!!

ANOTHER PC - BALL FINDS TUPPER'S BODY

58' GARCIA IN THE BELGIAN CIRCLE - BUT BELGIUM HAVE A PC OFF A SUPER QUICK COUNTER

57' Belgium try a quick counter - cannot get past the Canadian defence

56' SARMENTO HAS A GOLDEN CHANCE TO HELP CANADA DRAW LEVEL - CANNOT LATCH ON TO A PASS AT THE GOALMOUTH

54' The Belgiums cautiously advance with a string of long vertical passes - not committing men forward

53' CHARLIER'S SHOT HITS THE POST!!!!!!!!!

51' Belgium on the back foot all of a sudden as the Canadians come to life

50' CANADA PRESSING HARD AS EVER - CAN THEY FIND A SECOND???

BELGIUM 2 - CANADA 1

THE PRESSURE PAYS OFF - SCOTT TUPPER'S SHOT IS BLOCKED - MARK PEARSON GETS THE DEFLECTION IN - CANADA BACK IN THIS ONE!!! BELGIUM DOWN TO TEN MEN AS GOUGNARD GETS A YELLOW

48' VINCENT VANASCH YET AGAIN TO THE RESCUE FOR BELGIUM - CANADA ON FIRE - EARN A PC

VINCENT VANASCH SAVES - GREAT FLICK BY JOHNSTON

47' PC FOR CANADA - CAN THEY REDUCE THE DEFICIT???

PC STANDS - Luypaert's shot is dangerous - free out to Canada

VIDEO REFERRAL - LOOKING FOR A BELGIAN HAND AND NOT A CANADIAN FOOT IN THE CANADIAN CIRCLE - PC WAS ALREADY AWARDED TO BELGIUM

46' Simon Gougnard into the attack for the Red Lions - Balraj Panesar to the rescue for Canada

The Belgians continue to dominate - but have failed to get a ball into the net thus far in the second half - the Canadian deep defence have done well - perhaps the Red Lions will add a few more in Q4??

END OF Q3: BELGIUM 2 - CANADA 0

43' RARE COUNTER FROM THE CANADIANS - SCOTT TUPPER DOES WELL BUT MESSES IT UP AT THE FINAL HURDLE

43' Canada simply unable to get the ball into opposition territory - but managing to keep the Belgian strikers at bay

41' The Belgians all over the Canadian defence - cannot get one in as the deep defence holds on

Alexander Hendrickx takes a shot which goes wide

39' SCOTT TUPPER MANAGES TO COME AWAY - INTO THE BELGIUM 23 - LIGHTNING QUICK COUNTER FOR THE RED LIONS - TOM BOON FAILS TO GET A TOUCH - PC FOR BELGIUM

37' GOUGNARD LOSES POSSESSION IN THE CANADIAN CIRCLE

36' GREEN CARD FOR BRENDEN BISSETT

YET ANOTHER PC AS HENDRICKX SHOT FINDS A BODY - CANADA SURVIVE

34' BELGIUM HAVE A PC

33' Belgium pressing hard as ever - the Canadians intercept and manage to deny possession to the marauding Belgian strikers

31' DOCKIER FAILS TO GET A TOUCH - THE RED LIONS ON FIRE AS THE SECOND HALF BEGINS

Shane McLeod reckons the Canadians have come back in the match and his side need more possession

HALF-TIME: BELGIUM 2 - CANADA 0

IT'S BEEN ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FOR PRETTY MUCH THE ENTIRE FIRST HALF - SHANE McLEOD'S SIDE ENJOYING A GOOD 67% POSSESSION IN THE CANADIAN HALF - 18 CIRCLE ENTRIES FOR THE BELGIANS - JUST 4 FOR THE CANADIANS. SEVEN SHOTS ON GOAL FOR THE RED LIONS WHILE PAUL BUNDY'S BOYS HAVE YET TO GET A SHOT ON TARGET

29' Ball at the Canadian goalmouth - but a Belgian stick check saves the Canadians

28' Van Doren to the rescue as the Canadians advance with purpose

27' The Canadians unable to make the moves count once they make it to the striking circle

26' CHARLIER TAKES A TUMBLE IN THE CANADIAN CIRCLE - NO DAMAGE DONE EITHER WAYS

25' SIMON GOUGNARD GETS A GREEN CARD

24' BOCCARD IN THE CANADIAN CIRCLE - THE CANADIANS MANAGE TO INTERCEPT THE BALL IN THE NICK OF TIME

23' The Canadians manage to penetrate the Belgian defence - cannot get a shot on goal

BELGIUM 2 - CANADA 0.

22' THE CAPTAIN SCORES - THOMAS BRIELS FINDS THE NET OFF A PEACH OF AN ASSIST FROM ARTHUR VAN DOREN

21' GREAT SHOT BY VAN AUBEL - KINDLER TO THE RESCUE YET AGAIN

LUYPAERT FIRES IT IN - KINDLER SAVES - LUYPAERT SKIES THE DEFLECTION

19' BAD NEWS FOR CANADA - BELGIUM EARN THEIR FIRST PC