England win Pool A, Belgium finish second in Champions Trophy

Bhubaneswar, Dec 9:

England and Belgium remained unbeaten in the hockey Champions Trophy after drawing 1-1 in their last pool match at the Kalinga Stadium in the Odisha’s capital city today.

The draw helped England become Pool A winners with 7 points from three matches, two more than second-placed Belgium.

Belgium took the lead early on when forward Amaury Keusters unleashed a powerful backhand shot to beat goalkeeper George Pinner in the ninth minute.

But from then on, England dominated the proceedings and created better chances. Striker Ashley Jackson then hit the post from a penalty corner and England received a penalty stroke from the resultant melee. But Iain Lewers wasted the golden opportunity to equalise, leaving Belgium ahead 1-0 at the break.

England upped the ante and received a series of penalty corners in the third quarter but neither captain Barry Middleton nor Jackson were able to find the target. Instead, England were given a scare when just before the third quarter break, a Keusters strike hit the crossbar.

Lewers eventually equalised for England with 13 minutes remaining when his powerful backhand stroke found the bottom of the goal. Belgium fought hard to get a second goal but the result remained tied. (IANS)