Times of India: Australia beat Belgium 2-1 to lift HWL Final title
RAIPUR: World champions Australia stamped their authority and defeated Belgium 2-1 to clinch the title of the second edition of Hockey World League (HWL) Final at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Stadium on Sunday.
Australia, who finished fourth in the last edition of the tournament two years back, showed why they are considered as the most consistent team in world hockey as they took control of the match from the word go to dominate the world number seven Belgians.
After a barren first quarter, Australia surged ahead in the 16th minute through a field goal from Jeremy Hayward.
Seven minutes into the second half, Australia doubled their lead through Matthew Dawson who converted a penalty corner.
Belgium pressed hard in the final quarter and managed to secure a penalty corner in the final minute of the match from which Simon Gougnard scored a consolation goal for his team.
Earlier in the day, hosts India broke their 33-year-old medal jinx in a major international tournament when they defeated world number two and defending champions Netherlands 3-2 in the shoot-out after the two teams were locked at 5-5 in the regulation 60 minutes.