Final Up to date: January 24, 2023, 23:03 IST
Belgium beat New Zealand 2-0 within the quarterfinals of the FIH World Cup 2023 (FIH)
The Crimson Lions struck by way of Tom Boon within the tenth minute and Florent Van Aubel then doubled their lead within the fifteenth minute. The 2 strikes within the first two quarters proved sufficient as they defended stoutly to thwart New Zealand
Defencing Champions Belgium remained on the right track for back-to-back titles as they reached the semifinals of the FIH Odisha Hockey Males’s World Cup 203, prevailing 2-0 over New Zealand within the quarterfinals on the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday.
They joined World No.1 Australia within the semifinals and await the winner of the Netherlands and Korea on Wednesday to resolve a spot within the closing.
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The Crimson Lions struck by way of Tom Boon within the tenth minute and Florent Van Aubel then doubled their lead within the fifteenth minute. The 2 strikes within the first two quarters proved sufficient as they defended stoutly to thwart New Zealand.
The speak earlier than the sport was the damage suffered by Alex Hendrickx leaving Belgium with out their ace drag-flicker for the remainder of the World Cup.
Nonetheless, star ahead Tom Boon allayed a number of the worries by scoring the primary penalty nook Belgium received by dissecting the hole between the keeper and the put up defender completely.
It was an important begin to the sport for Belgium who performed confidently from the primary whistle, calmly circulating the ball back and forth searching for openings within the skilled Kiwi defence. New Zealand primarily appeared to catch Belgium out with fast counterattacks, however the skilled Belgian midfield saved stopping any makes an attempt they made at getting out on the break.
Belgium scored their second purpose within the first minute of the second quarter as nice work from the correct by Boccard Gauthier led to a cross that was completed off by Florent van Aubel to make it 2-0.
This compounded New Zealand’s issues as they now wanted to attain three objectives to maintain their World Cup marketing campaign alive. The Black Sticks tried their finest to spark a comeback earlier than halftime, as that they had executed simply 48 hours in the past in opposition to India. However Belgium’s defence was determined.
The Black Sticks did handle to win a penalty nook within the closing minute of the primary half as nice work by Sam Lane on the left baseline was interrupted by a Belgian foot within the circle. The tried drag flick by Kane Russell although was well-watched by goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch until the very finish and he dived low to his proper and made the save to maintain Belgium’s clear sheet and two-goal lead intact on the break.
Belgium continued to stifle New Zealand, regardless of switching from a excessive press to a midfield press. John-John Dohmen was notably spectacular within the center, swarming any Kiwi participant who tried to hold the ball out from the again.
With their counter-attacking skills curbed, New Zealand tried to construct from the again and did handle to create a few capturing alternatives within the Belgian circle, however Belgium at all times obtained again in numbers and the pictures have been blocked off earlier than they may get to the purpose.
The defending champions ended the third quarter with one of the best scoring alternative as a excessive ball by skipper Felix Denayer discovered Cedric Charlier alone within the circle, however his try at foxing substitute Leon Hayward on the close to put up was thwarted by the alert Kiwi shot-stopper.
New Zealand had an important begin to the ultimate quarter as a deliberate kick by Belgium’s Arthur de Sloover, inside their defensive 25m, earned them a penalty nook inside the primary minute. The Black Sticks went with a variation as Russell pushed the ball in the direction of Hayden Phillips on the correct, who tried to deflect the ball into the purpose, however his try went narrowly large and Belgium survived.
The following huge likelihood of the sport additionally fell New Zealand’s manner as a crashed go into the circle by Nick Ross was deflected by an onrushing Connor Greentree, however the ball handed by the far put up of the purpose, lacking it by a whisker.
New Zealand took their keeper off with seven minutes left within the recreation to provide them a bonus within the outfield, after failing to breach the Belgian defence all through the sport. Nonetheless, the Crimson Lions remained unaffected, calmly holding New Zealand out of their circle for a lot of the closing seven minutes, to say one other spectacular win and secured their spot within the semi-finals as they try and defend their World Cup title.
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