BHUBANESWAR 15-Dec-2018
Netherlands and Belgium set up an all-European title clash at the 14th Hockey Men’s World Cup, posting contrasting wins in the semifinals here at Kalinga Stadium Hockey Complex today. Belgium (World Ranking 3) rode on a brace by Alexander Hendrickx to eliminate England (World Ranking 7) 6-0, while Netherlands ended defending champions Australia’s the third successive title hope, winning the thrilling second semifinal 6-5 via shoot-out after play in the regulation time ended in 2-2 draw.
The staggering win for Belgium carried them to their third major final in as many years, following the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the 2017 European Championship, where they settled with silver medal. On the otherhand England lost in World Cup semifinals for the third time in a row.
