Olympic champions Belgium will look to beat a formidable Germany and grow to be solely the fourth nation to defend the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup title when the 2 sides meet within the remaining right here on Sunday.
Pakistan, Australia and Germany have gained back-to-back titles previously and Belgium, who broke into the world’s elite nearly a decade in the past, will look to construct on that feat and defend the title they gained in 2018. I gained Same Kalinga Stadium.
With 11 gamers above 30 and three above 35, the ‘golden technology’ of Belgian hockey gamers who gained 2018 World Cup and Tokyo Olympic gold have proven they’re supremely match and age Experience issues greater than something. Belgium has include a big contingent that had gained the earlier version of the occasion and the Tokyo Games.
It’s laborious to identify any main weaknesses on this Belgian crew, which boasts a number of the finest attacking and defensive gamers on this planet, in addition to penalty nook specialists.
They have among the best goalkeepers on this planet in Vincent Vanash.
Belgium have scored 18 objectives, with seven contributions from star striker Tom Boon, and have conceded simply 5 objectives in the identical variety of matches.
But the world No 2 crew can be cautious of the “German culture of resilience”, which has been on full show this World Cup as Die Hönnämäs twice recovered from 0-2 down to achieve the ultimate.
Two-time champions Germany (2002 and 2006) have been trailing by two objectives in opposition to England within the quarter-finals, however scored twice within the final two and a half minutes to take them to a penalty shootout, the place they emerged winners.
In Friday’s semi-final, the world quantity 4 German was once more trailing title contenders Australia 0-2 at half-time, however her never-say-die perspective got here to the fore as she scored an early equalizer to equalise. struggled. Dramatically discovering the winner with solely six seconds left on the clock.
“We have a lot of respect for the German side that came out of jail twice in this tournament and won. It’s something that’s in their culture.”
“Germany is a very tough side. We hope to save our best for last. We will analyze their game and prepare our plans.”
The depth within the Belgian crew may also be gauged from the truth that penalty nook specialist and star defender Alexandre Hendricks was lacking on account of damage early within the event.
The solely chink of their armor could possibly be that Belgium rely totally on Boon to attain objectives. Florent van Aubel, Cedric Charlier and Sébastien Dockier have scored simply two objectives every.
Arthur van Dooren and Arthur De Slover would be the major males in Belgium’s protection whereas captain Denayer and Victor Vagnez will attempt to management the midfield.
Germany, however, is trying to clinch its first title since 2006 and be a part of the membership of different three nations which have gained the World Cup three or extra instances. In addition to the benefit of recording two come-from-behind victories, the German has been in a position to achieve success in quite a lot of enjoying conditions.
Germany adopted a man-to-man marking sport in opposition to England, whereas they performed a regional system in opposition to Australia within the semi-finals.
He didn’t permit the usually fluid Australian gamers to play their attacking model of play, with extra ball possession.
The type of penalty nook specialist Gonzalo Pilat, who gained 2016 Olympic gold with Argentina however now represents Germany, can be key for Die Honmaas as his hat-trick performed a key position of their 4-3 win over Australia.
“We need to continue to believe in ourselves, in our ability and our mental toughness. Our ball possession game against Australia was incredible and we would like to continue that. We want to win the World Cup,” mentioned German captain Matt Grambusch.
The two sides have been collectively in the identical group and there was nothing to separate them in a 2–2 draw within the Pool B match.
Tom Grambusch and Niklas Wellen, the youthful brother of captain Mats, scored in that match and the pair will as soon as once more be Germany’s key gamers on Sunday.
Tom would be the defensive bulwark whereas Wellen, man of the match in opposition to Australia, has been the standout participant for Germany on this occasion, scoring six objectives in as many video games along with his mesmerizing efforts within the opposition circle.
Historically too, there hasn’t been a lot to distinguish the 2 groups, with Belgium successful 15 of the 35 matches they’ve performed in opposition to one another. Germany has gained 13 instances whereas seven matches have led to attracts.
Since July 2017, Germany have overwhelmed Belgium solely as soon as in an FIH Pro League match in November final yr.
Semi-final losers Australia and Netherlands will lock horns within the bronze medal match earlier within the day.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
