BHUBANESHWAR: At the Kalinga Stadium here on Tuesday night, Pool B of the Hockey World Cup saw the defending champions Belgium and Germany square off for a 2-2 draw while Korea defeated Japan 2-1 to stay in the game.
The two Asian neighbours played hockey that was really exciting, but the Europeans were more focused and organised. It's not over until it's over, as the saying goes in sports. The Germans were perplexed when Belgium, who had been behind 1-2 until the 54th minute, tied the score.
The all-European match got underway quickly, and in the ninth minute Cedric Charlier, who had intercepted a cross and gone inside the circle, gave Belgium the lead. He got by a defender and beat the goalkeeper with an angled shot (1-0).
German counterattack was swift and fierce, but their strikers were unable to beat Vincent Vanasch in goal for Belgium. In response, Belgium gained a penalty corner, but Mathias Muller, a defender, skillfully cleared Hendrickx's flick. However, Germany equalised seven minutes into the second half with a goal from a fantastic diagonal angle by Niklas Wellen (1-1).
Moves and countermoves were seen in the second half, but no goals could be scored in the third period since neither team's defence gave the other any room. Germany was given a stroke with five minutes remaining, and Tom Grambusch converted it perfectly ( 2-1).
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