INDIA: Defending FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup champions Belgium thrashed tenacious Korea 5-0 to kick off their title defence with a bang. On the other hand, two-time champion Germany defeated Asian Games champion Japan 3-0 in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
Despite the Koreans allowing Belgium to score in the first half, the European team finally scored two and three goals in the third and fourth quarters to secure a resounding victory in a Pool B match at the Kalinga stadium.
With three goals from open play, Belgium ranked second in the world and scored five goals from separate players. Before Cosyns Tanguy made a field goal in the 42nd minute, Hendrickx Alexander gave Belgium the lead in the first minute of the third quarter.
After that, the Korean defence gave way, and with goals from Van Aubel Florent (49th, penalty corner), Dockier Sebastien (51st, field goal), and De Sloover Arthur (57th, field goal), Belgium dominated.
All goals were scored in the first half of the second Pool B encounter at Kalinga Stadium. By converting a penalty corner in the 35th minute, Grambusch Mats gave the fourth-ranked Germans the lead before Ruhr Christopher scored a field goal five minutes later.
After Japan, the 16th-ranked team in the world, failed to score in the last period, Prinz Thies (48th minute) put an end to it with a field attempt.
Upcoming matches today
Spain vs. Wales (Pool D, at 17.00 IST)
England vs. India (Pool D, at 17.00 IST)
Also Read: Hockey World Cup: Clinical Netherlands Drub Malaysia 4-0
