Belgium bashing sends clueless India packing

India suffered a 4-0 defeat as their defence succumbed under the pressure mounted by an aggressive Belgium side in the semifinals of the Hockey World League Semifinals here today.

Florent van Aubel scored three goals for Belgium. Opening Belgium’s account in the second minute on a defensive lapse at the top of the Indian circle, van Aubel went on to score two goals in the second half from penalty corner rebounds to dash India’s hopes of a comeback.

The other goal for the home team, backed by vociferous support from the galleries, came from Tanguy Cosyns.
A lapse by Jasjeet Singh in controlling the ball on top of the circle in the second minute led to Belgium taking an early lead. Six minutes later, Belgium were two goals ahead from their first penalty corner. Arthur van Doren’s drag-flick was padded by goalkeeper PR Sreejesh and the rebound went to Cosyns, who scored with a firm shot along the carpet.

India tried to come back into the game and made their first attack in the ninth minute, but the Belgian defenders were very well organised and thwarted the Indian attack.

Pakistan’s Olympic hopes dashed after Ireland loss

The Pakistan men’s hockey team slumped to a new low today as it failed to qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics after suffering a shocking 1-0 defeat to Ireland.

Pakistan’s loss in the first play-off match for the fifth to eighth spots means they cannot finish above the seventh position in this tournament and the Olympic spots for 12 teams from both World League Semifinals cannot go below the sixth place.

This was the last chance for Pakistan to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games, after losing the Asian Games final to India in Incheon last year.

Pakistan had also failed to feature among the 12 teams at the 2014 World Cup, an event they have won more times than any other country.

“This is a sad day for Pakistan hockey,” said captain Muhammad Imran. “We had chances, but failed to convert them. We were misfiring throughout the tournament,” said Imran. “I feel sorry for the hockey lovers in Pakistan.”
For Ireland, who won a silver medal in the 1908 Olympics behind England, this was their first victory in 11 encounters against Pakistan. The winner by Alan Sothern in the 46th minute kept alive Ireland’s dreams of making their first Olympic appearance in a century. — PTI