Bhubaneswar: Tournament favourites Belgium finished their campaign on a winning note as they defeated Spain by a solitary goal in the fifth-sixth place play-off match of the Men’s Hockey World League Finals (HWLF) here at the Kalinga Stadium, Saturday. The only goal of the match was scored by Sebastian Dockier in the fourth minute.
The Belgians were in a dominating mood right from the start. They repeatedly attacked the Spanish defence with some brilliant penetrations and were duly awarded when Dockier after receiving a pass from Nicolas de Kernel slotted home past rival goalie Quico Cortes to hand his side the lead.
Spain were never really in the match as the Belgians kept up the pressure in the second quarter too. However, on a quick counter-attack, Spain got their first penalty corner in the 20th minute, the hit from which was brilliantly saved by Vincent Vanasch under the Belgium bar.
However, luck also played a part as Pau Quemada’s shot was first saved by Vanasch and off the rebound, he beat the goalie but the shot hit the post.
In the second session, though the Spanish players improved, they were not really able to trouble the Belgian defence. Young Diego Arana and Ricardo Santana created a number of opportunities, but Vanasch was rock solid.
The Red Lions even had a chance to increase their lead getting two back-to-back penalty corners in the 51st and 52nd but failed to make most if of as Cortes was up to the mark on both occasions to deny any further damage.
Agencies