ANTWERP (BELGIUm), July 3: India were outclassed 0-4 by hosts Belgium in a lop-sided last-four clash, with Florent Van Aubel’s fine hat-trick playing a pivotal role in the side’s passage to the final of the FIH Hockey World League Semifinals here today.
Van Aubel led the way by scoring three times, while Tanguy Cosyns found the net once as the Indians struggled for most part.
Van Aubel began the scoring as early as the second minute of the game, added another brilliant one with four minutes to go for the third quarter and ended it with his third goal in the final quarter.
Cosyns scored off a penalty corner in the rebound in eighth minute as Belgium led 2-0 at half time.
The hosts came back to score two more times in the second half. It was an aggressive start by the Belgians and the hosts asserted their supremacy as the match progressed.
The Belgians were sharp on penalty corners rebounds, well organised in defence, while the Indian backline looked slow and sloppy, with the sole exception of goalkeeper Sreejesh. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel