The World Champion Belgium Men
have come away with a comprehensive 6-2 win in the second match of
the day from the National Hockey Centre. The Belgium Red Lions hit
the front early in the game and never relented the pressure as they
continued to strike with regular frequency throughout the match.
The New Zealand Men will aim to bounce back tomorrow when the two
sides meet for the second time on the weekend.
Belgium came out firing early in
the match, in only the third minute Arthur Van Doren was given to
much space in the New Zealand attacking zone. He then managed to
thread a ball into the New Zealand circle that was deftly touched
home by Belgium captain Felix Denayer. Only minutes later the
Denayer and Van Doren combination was back in action when this time
an overhead found Denayer who slotted it into the bottom of the New
Zealand goal.
Tom Boon sealed an impressive
first quarter for the Belgium side when his rocket drag-flick flew
past Leon Hayward and into the New Zealand goal.
The Black Sticks Men looked to
have their backs firmly up against the wall as they entered the
second quarter, early in the second quarter Nick Ross managed to
find his way along the baseline and chip the Belgium goalkeeper for
a George Muir touch into the goal.
Belgium then struck back almost
instantly when a quick break into the New Zealand circle was
deflected into the goal from Sebastien Dockier.
Belgium would go into the half
time sheds in a strong position as they led the New Zealand side
4-1.
The Kiwis were looking to play
with confidence in the second half. Early in the third quarter the
New Zealand side was looking more composed on the defensive end of
the field. Belgium continued to apply pressure on the New Zealand
defence but were running into significantly more resistance.
Another excellent opportunity was
constructed by the Belgiums as they continued to show their class
when this time a baseline drive resulted in a deflection over the
goalkeeper shoulder from Nicolas de Kerpel.
The Vantage Black Sticks continued
to fight and found their second goal of the match when the Belgium
side was unable to clear their circle, George Muir found himself
open on the post and touched home his second goal of the game.
The New Zealand Men were looking
for a big final quarter as they looked to build some momentum ahead
of the second match tomorrow evening.
Belgium with nine minutes to go in
the contest forced the Black Sticks into a turnover; this resulted
in a quick break down the field where a reverse stick shot was
touched impressively by Tom Boon for his second goal of the match.
The New Zealand Men couldn’t pull
another goal back as they would fall 6-2 to the Belgium Men. Make
sure you tune in tomorrow as the Kiwis look for a bounce-back day
on the turf.
Vantage Black Sticks Men 2 (George Muir 17, 41 min)
Belgium 6 (Felix Denayer 3, 5 min, Tom
Boon 7, 52 min, Sebastian Dockier 19 min, Nicolas de Kerpel 41 min)
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