Business end of Raipur razzmatazz starts today
Quarterfinal line up identified
No team among the world elite eight assembled here could win all the three matches. It speaks volumes about the intensity of contests that the Raipur fans witnessed in the last five action filled days in the Hockey World League Finals. Two out of four teams in the pool could manage only two wins, and the World No.1 team Australia is not even pool toppoer!
Twelve quality matches and 50 plus goals later, the business end of the tournament has commenced. The format may have been questioned, which has many pros and cons, but the matches barring Canada, have thrown surprises and suspense. So much so that till the hooter was not blown yesterday in the last match between England and Belgium, the final quarterfinal line up could not be made out.
Especially for the home fans, their rival for the quarters was known only after the best match of the pool was played yesterday evening between Great Britain and Belgium, where the fortunes swung every minute.
The 3-3 verdict put the resurrected British against India. Both Belgium and the British tried their best to top the pool so that they can have easy team in India. The Indian Quarterfinal will be played tomorrow evening.
HWL R4 Quarterfinal Line Up
The Pool B toppers Netherlands, who struck only six goals in three matches, will engage lowly Canada.
Pool A toppers British, who struck maximum goals by any team (11 in all), will engage the hosts.
Australia , whose heavy defeat at the hands of traditional foe British, will take on Germany, who struck only two goals in three matches. This quarter is billed for prime time today.
Two excellent and perfect teams here, Belgium & Argentina, will fight it out what promises to be the Boon Vs Peillat Moment in the fourth Quarterfinal to be played tomorrow after India-GB contest.