BHUBANESWAR 05-Dec-2017
Quarterfinal line-up of the Men’s Hockey World League Finals was finalized after completion of pool league matches here at Kalinga Hockey Stadium today. Spain came from behind to beat Olympic champions Argentina 2-1, while the rampaging Belgium blanked Netherlands 3-0 in the last two league matches in Pool-A.
This was the third win in a row for Belgium, who emerged Pool-A toppers with full nine points. Spain (6), Argentina (1) and Netherlands (1) finished second, third and fourth respectively in this pool. In the first two quarterfinals, Spain would meet World champions Australia and Belgium would take on host India on Dec 6. England would lock horns with Argentina and Germany would face Netherlands in the last two quarterfinals on Dec 7.
Belgium emerged as the highest scorers at the pool league stage with 11 goals, while Netherlands conceded the highest of nine. Belgium’s drag-flick specialist Loick Luypeart became the top scorer with six goals to his name.
RESULTS:
Dec 5 (Match No 11): Argentina (Matias Paredes 21-FG) lost to Spain (Pau Quemada 50-PC, Josep Romeu 59-PS) 1-2. PoM: Miguel Delas (Spain). JoPM: Santiago Tarazona (Argentina).
Dec 5 (Match No 12): Belgium (Loick Luypeart 19-PC, 30-PC; Tom Boon 32-PC) beat Netherlands 3-0. PoM: Arthur de Sloover (Belgium). JoPM: Sam van der Ven (Netherlands).
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PHOTO: Belgium drag-flick expert Loick Luypaert in action at Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
