World League Round Three semi-final
Belgium - New Zealand 3-2 (half-time: 2-1)
Tom Boon’s double helped Belgium claim the first place
in the final of the World League semi-final in Rotterdam as they held
off New Zealand, copper-fastening their 2014 World Cup spot in the
process.
Thomas Briels’ delightful little
touch in front of Devon Manchester opened the scoring early on as he met
a bouncing ball just before the goalkeeper closed in, lifting it up and
over him before nestling in the net.
That lead lasted until the 18th
minute when Alex Shaw’s powerful ball into the circle was redirected in
by Blair Hilton, getting a faint touch whilst in the process of falling
and leaving Vincent Vanasch with little time to react.
But Belgium made their move in the
second third as Tom Boon rocketed home a high and straight drag flick
over Manchester’s head before half-time. He added the third when others
dallied in the circle, taking control with a clean strike in the 38th
minute. Boon almost had a hat trick with a neat touch behind his back
which Manchester did well to block as the Belgians looked well set.
The Blacksticks
responded, though, and they were right back in the mix when Andy Hayward
fired a low shot to the backboard from a penalty corner. And the same
man almost had the equaliser with three minutes to go only for Vanasch
to stick out a big toe to keep Belgium just in front.
That save confirmed Belgium were through while New Zealand must now battle in the third place playoff on Sunday.
