Belgium lose to Australia in Hockey World League final

Belgium’s extraordinary hockey adventure came to an end on Sunday when Australia beat them 2-1 in the Hockey World League final in Raipur, India.

Belgium’s emergence as a hockey power has been one of the sport’s most remarkable fairy tales, but the Red Lions’ luck ran out against Australia’s Kookaburras, who clinched the second HWL title at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium.

After a barren first quarter, Australia went ahead in the 16th minute when Jeremy Hayward hammered a powerful shot beyond Belgium’s goalkeeper, Vincent Vanasch, followed by a second-half penalty from Matthew Dawson. Australia looked to have scored a third moments later, only to be denied by a goal-line clearance by Emmanuel Stockbroekx.

Belgium pressed hard in the final quarter and secured a penalty corner in the final minute, from which Simon Gougnard scored a consolation goal.

Earlier, on Saturday, a solitary strike from Cedric Charlier had put Belgium into the final as they beat hosts India 1-0 in the semi-final.

The final marks a steady trajectory for the Red Lions that includes their first European Championships final in 2013 and winning hockey’s second-tier trophy, the Champions Challenge, in 2011. Sunday’s silver medal is their first top-level prize since they won bronze at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp.

Photo courtesy International Hockey Federation