Boon time for Belgium
ESP v BEL 0-3 (0-0)
From a game that was in danger of fizzling into a non-entity, the match between Spain and Belgium sparked into life in the final quarter, with Tom Boon acting the role of provider and finisher in Belgium’s 3-0 victory over their lower-ranked rivals.
The classification match between Belgium and Spain was a match with a lot of movement and enthusiasm, but until the final quarter very little in the way of real outcome. Belgium were the more structured team, but there was always the lurking suspicion that a piece of Spanish brilliance might steal a goal.
In the first quarter, it was Belgium who got off to the brighter start, with Sebastien Dockier first to test Quico Cortes in the Spain goal. Dockier’s shot was well-struck and Cortes deflected it away from danger.
This move seemed to galvanise the Spanish defence and while Cedric Charlier and Matthew Cobbaert spearheaded a Red Lion concerted attack, the defence stood firm and protected the circle as one unit. There was a breach of the Spanish defence leaving Charlier free to take a shot, but again Cortes had the measure of the lively Red Lion’s striker.
Against the run of play, Spain nearly went ahead when Andres Bel Mir touched in a cross, only to see Vincent Vanasch scramble and clear it away. Spain continued to attack, and for a while it seemed that Gabriel Dabanch was all set to get on the scoreboard. The three-minute Dabanch show began with some lovely juggling skills on the edge of the circle and ended when the lively Red Stick player skied the ball out of the ground.
The second quarter continued n much the same vein, with Belgium making some great build up moves only to run into the Spanish defence.
Moving into the second half of the game, Belgium began to press higher and higher into the Spanish half, but the high skill level was always met by a Spanish defence that was both disciplined and solid. A lovely turn by Florent van Aubel ran straight into the flat stick of Jordi Carrera; and Sebastien Dockier encountered an equally stern resistance as he tried to get past captain Sergi Enrique.
Alexandre de Pauew came closest to scoring when he found space, but his shot was taken from a wide angle and flew past the post. This was followed seconds later when Charlier saw his shot saved by the athletic manoeuvring of Cortes.
So with the game at stalemate, the final quarter suddenly came alive when spain won a penalty corner after a rare incursion into the Belgium circle. While the spectators might have expected Pau Quemada to give his team the lead, in fact the Spaniard mis-hit the ball and the clearance led to a route one Belgium attack. Dockier passed to Tom Boon who slipped the ball to Gauthier Boccard (47′); the striker made no mistake as he shot home.
Seconds later it was Boon’s (47′) turn. His penalty corner rocketed into the goal, well over Cortes’ head.
Alexandre Hendrickx was unable to extend the Red Lion’s lead from the next penalty corner, Cortes diving to his left to turn the shot round the post.
The game was put out of reach when Boon scored his second – the shot another Boon drag flick.
“We have a year to close the gap between ourselves and the top teams,” said Jordi Carrera. “Today we couldn’t keep the ball and we were one step behind. We have a year to put that right.”
Gauthier Boccard said he was delighted to score Belgium’s opening goal, but the team had been very disappointed with their performance earlier in the tournament.
