Indo-Asian News Service
Florent van Aubel
Antwerp, July 3: Hosts Belgium secured a one-sided 4-0 win over India in their last- four match of the Hockey World League Semifinals at the Brasschaat Municipal Park here Friday to book a place in the final.
For Belgium, Florent van Aubel scored a brilliant hat-trick while Tanguy Cosyns scored the other goal to steer their team to the final.
The hosts got off to a cracking start firing a goal in the second minute of the first quarter. Jasjit Singh with a weak tackle made it easy for Van Aubel to score just at the start of the game.
After conceding a goal, India counter-attacked well and Satbir Singh got a golden chance to level the score. He only needed to tap the ball in to an open goal, but Belgium custodian Vincent Vanasch came up with a stellar save.
Cosyns netted the second goal in the eighth minute for the hosts. India stopper Sreejesh stopped the drag-flick but the rebound landed in front of Cosyns, who was left unmarked by the Indian defence. His rasping shot hit the boards and the hosts were 2-0 up.
In the second quarter, India pressed on as Satbir stole the ball at the edge of circle and fired one in on the run, but Vanasch again came with a good stop.
The second half saw India putting up a better fight and if it was not for Vanasch, they would have at least pulled a goal back.
At the start of the third quarter, skipper Sardar Singh ran well as he managed to dodge a couple of Belgian defenders but once again, was guilty of holding on to the ball a bit too long and the attack was blunted.
In the 40th minute, Jasjit put his body on the line of the attacker and gave away a penalty corner. Van Aubel found the net for the second time in the 41st minute to make it 3-0 for Belgium.
In the dying minutes of third quarter, India earned a penalty corner but Manpreet Singh shot wide.
The final quarter saw Belgium adopt an aggressive mode once more. India conceded another penalty corner which Van Aubel converted to complete the rout.
