Top coaches have been warning for some time to look out for
the Belgians, and their success rolls on in the Men’s World League Semi-Finals
in Rotterdam.
Playing New Zealand for a place in the finals, Thomas Briels
put the Belgians ahead after five minutes, and although Blair Hilton equalised
13 minutes later, Belgium’s No. 27, Tom Boom, scored either side of the break
to give his side a 3-1 lead. The Kiwis’
Andy Hayward found the goal from a penalty corner, but the match ended 3-2 in
the Belgians favour.
Belgium will play Australia in Sunday’s final. Australia’s
match against TheNetherlands was a see-saw affair with the advantage swinging
backwards and forwards. Australia’s
Christopher Ciriello opened the scoring from a penalty corner, only to see the
Dutch respond in similar manner from a Jeroen Hertzberger strike. Australia were able to re-gain their lead
before half-time. Matt Gohdes the scorer.
The second half saw The Netherlands equalise after only
three minutes, with Billy Bakker the scorer, but the Australians stormed back
into the lead with two penalty corner goals, the first from Russell Ford and
the second from Kieran Govers. At 4-2
down The Netherlands got themselves back into the game when Sander De Wijn
scored from a penalty corner, but the match ended with the Australians winning
4-3.
The matches to decide 5th to 8th
places saw a single goal by Roger Padros win the match for Spain against
Ireland 1-0, whilst India comprehensively beat France 6-2.
There will be one match in the men’s tournament tomorrow,
which will be between France and Ireland for eighth place. Tomorrow will be the final day of the women’s
tournament in Rotterdam.
The Investec Women’s World League Semi-Finals start in
London tomorrow (Saturday). This will
result in reporting from Rotterdam being reduced to principally results whilst
we concentrate on proceedings in London. Look out for photographs on our pictures web site at www.HockeyImages.co.uk.
