Times of India: Belgium make India’s London task tougher

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Belgium make India’s London task tougher

PANAJI: Belgium made Indian men’s hockey team’s task of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics potentially tougher by securing a spot in the mega event for themselves. Belgium booked their tickets at Spain’s expense after beating the 2008 Games silver medallists 3-2 in the EuroHockey championships in Mochengladbach, Germany.

Belgium overcame a 0-2 half-time deficit to make it to the semifinals on Wednesday. Spain will have to endure a tricky qualifying tournament to make the Olympics – sharing India’s fate. With Asia Cup champions South Korea also in the mix to qualify, the competition gets even tougher.

With Great Britain (represented by England in Monchengladbach) qualifying automatically as hosts, three other European nations have booked automatic qualifying spots to London. Hosts Germany who play England in the Euro semifinals and the Netherlands who clash with Belgium, will join Pakistan, 2010 Asian Games gold medallists at the Games.

One of Argentina and Canada (Pan American favourites) will be forced to take the long route to qualify and with Malaysia and China in the fray, expect India to face a torrid test to avoid the ignominy of failing to qualify for their second successive Olympic men’s hockey competition.