For years Belgium was always regarded as one of England's bogie teams – a side that you should beat, but somehow could not. That myth seemed to have been exorcised in the 2009 European Cup when England beat them 8-2 in the pool, but in London earlier today the Belgians were once again the bogie team.
Playing in their first match in the London Cup at Chiswick, England got off to a bright enough start with a super ninth minute goal from Richard Alexander. Captain Barry Middleton added a second in what was initially an impressive first half for England. But the writing was on the wall for England when Belgian danger man John-John Domen scored just before half time.
The second half saw the Belgians get bolder and England get more careless. They paid the price in the 53rd minute when Aleandre De Saedeleer equalised from a penalty corner. Four minutes later Jerome Dekeyser put the Belgians ahead after the usually dependable James Fair gifted him a shot at goal from a poor clearance.
Fair can take some relief from the fact that the Belgians third goal was not their last. As the game drew to a close De Saeleleer scored his second from penalty corner. Final score 4-2 to Belgium and England will have to secure a win in their second game tomorrow against Korea if they hope to play off in final.
Earlier in the day Korea were beaten 2-0 by New Zealand.
Table after one game:
- Belgium 3pts (+2)
- New Zealand 3pts (+2)
- England 0pts (-2)
- Korea 0pts (-2)
Photographs from the match will appear on our images web site at www.HockeyImages.co.uk sometime tomorrow.
