Belgium two steps away from winning second consecutive title

Bhubaneswar Defending world champions Belgium stormed into the semi-finals of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 with a 2-0 win over New Zealand in the second quarter-final of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup on Tuesday.

Tom Boon (10th) and Florent Obel van (15th) scored the winning goals in the match played at the Kalinga Stadium and now Belgium are just two steps away from winning the second consecutive World Cup.

Belgium will face either the defending runners-up Netherlands or South Korea in the semi-finals.

World No. 2 team Belgium dominated from the first minute against No. 12 team New Zealand. Boon opened the scoring for Belgium from a penalty corner in the 10th minute, while Florent doubled his side’s lead in the 15th minute.

After taking a comfortable lead, Belgium did better to retain most of the ball. The Kiwis, who broke the hearts of the Indian fans in the last match, could not break through the Belgian defense even when they got chances. In the second quarter, Nick Ross broke into the Belgian half but cleared the ball over the back line. Sam Lane earned a penalty corner just before half time but New Zealand could not take advantage of it.

New Zealand also earned two penalty corners in the fourth quarter, but Belgium’s impenetrable defense did not allow them to open the scoring. The Kiwis’ adventurous World Cup campaign ended with a 0-2 defeat after New Zealand missed a penalty corner in the last minute as Belgium held the ball until the last minute.