Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
broken clouds
weather
OMAN
23°C / 23°C
EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Goal blitz helps Belgium hammer Germany

1068331
1068331
minus
plus

JOHANNESBURG: Belgium scored three goals in eight second-quarter minutes to demolish Germany 6-1 on Sunday in a Men’s Hockey World League tournament final in Johannesburg.


The unexpected heavy defeat for the Germans completed a miserable day for the nation as the women’s team dominated their final against the United States only to lose in a shootout. A high intensity, fast tempo and supremely clinical display swept the Belgian “Red Lions” to victory at a cold University of the Witwatersrand and avenged a 3-2 pool loss.


Belgium were ahead within 14 minutes, led 4-1 at half-time on an astro turf pitch and scored two more goals in the final three minutes before a sell-out crowd in the tiny makeshift stadium.


Arthur van Doren, scorer of the opening goal from a penalty corner and winner of the best young player award, said the triumph was special.


“It is a very special feeling to defeat Germany in a final because they are a world-class team,” he said.


Belgian Tom Boon, who was the tournament’s leading scorer with seven goals, said: “I am proud to be part of this great team and I am sure they will help me spend my $950 (815 euros) prize.”


“The Belgians are something else,” said final umpire John Wright, a South African handling his 219th and last international before retiring.


Germany captain Mats Grambusch, whose brother Tom equalised off a penalty corner, admitted the team ranked third in the world were second best to fifth-ranked Belgium.


“Belgium were a lot better than us tonight, but I am looking forward to playing with this young team during the next few years,” he said.


A consolation for Grambusch was being voted the best player of the 16-day tournament, while veteran Spaniard Francisco “Quico” Cortes took the best goalkeeper award.


After Van Doren and Tom Grambusch exchanged goals, Boon, Amaury Keusters and a brilliant solo goal from Cedric Charlier put the Belgians in command by half-time.


Germany could not convert third-quarter dominance into goals, and the gamble of replacing their goalkeeper with an outfield player backfired when Charlier scored again.


In a strange move, the Germans then ditched the “kicking back” and bought goalkeeper Tobias Walter back on, but he was helpless as Augustin Meurmans completed the rout.


Australia set the trend of wide winning margins by trouncing Spain 8-1 in the third-place play-off, with Jeremy Hayward and Aaron Kleinschmidt bagging braces. — AFP


Hockey World League results


Men’s Final


Belgium 6 (Van Doren 14, Boon 20, Keusters 22, Charlier 27, 58, Meurmans 59) Germany 1 (T. Grambusch 16)


Play-off: 3/4


Australia 8 (Whetton 7, Hayward 10, 18, Kleinschmidt 27, 34, Craig 36, Mitton 45, Wickham 58) Spain 1 (Quemada 59)


Women’s Final


United States 1 (West 58) Germany 1 (Nobis 38)


USA win shootout 3-2


Play-off: 3/4


England 5 (Bray 12, Townsend 27, Unsworth 35, Ansley 48, 50) Argentina 2 (Von der Heyde 20, Merino 30)


SHARE ARTICLE
arrow up
home icon