Bhubaneswar: Belgium exacted sweet revenge for their 2016 Rio Games final loss to Argentina as they achieved a hard-fought 3-2 win against the Los Leones in a game of the Men’s World Hockey League Finals (HWLF) at the Kalinga Stadium here, Saturday.
The Belgians attacked right from the start having most of the ball possession with most of their attacks originating from Sebastien Dockier on the left and Nicolas de Kerpel on. They didn’t have to wait for long to take the lead as Loick Luypaert converted from a penalty corner to put them ahead in the ninth minute.
Belgium could have doubled their lead in the 16th minute with Victor Wegnez playing a brilliant one-two with Tom Boon but a resolute Argentine defence held firm.
The second session was definitely more entertaining than the first with four goals being scored. In search of an equaliser, the Los Leones attacked, but left gaps in their defence. Taking advantage of this, Amaury Keusters doubled the lead for Belgium in the 51st minute with a brilliant field goal.
Argentina reduced the margin a minute later though, through Maico Casella, who made no mistake in converting a penalty corner. However, Boon restored Belgium’s two-goal margin by returning the favour from a penalty corner in the 56th minute.
Argentina raised hopes of a remarkable comeback when Gonzalo Peillat struck the very next minute, but that was as far as they got with the Belgian defence holding firm.
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