Pro League: Belgium continues winning run

Belgium consolidated its top spot in the FIH Pro League with a 5-2 victory against Argentina, winning its third game on the trot here on Friday.

The World No. 2 side, unbeaten in regulation time, continued its probing and cautious start before gradually pushing ahead and taking control in a game that saw the momentum constantly shifting as both teams, playing completely different styles, went for full points. Argentina, fresh off the huge victory against India, continued in the same attacking mode with Tomas Domene adding to his four strikes on Thursday to put his team ahead in the 19th minute.

A series of penalty corners went waste as Argentina pushed hard to double the advantage but the Belgian defence held firm. The Red Lions were content to keep possession and bide time. Having worked out the opposition, Belgium came out a different side in the second half, going wider and sticking to the sidelines to build its attack before moving to the middle for the final blow.

Arthur de Sloover and Tobias Biekens struck within three minutes of each other to put the Belgians ahead 2-1. The 41-year-old Matias Rey drew level at the stroke of the final break.

But Belgium upped the pace and its game in the final quarter, targeting the defenders’ legs when cramped for space inside the Argentine circle with Alexander Hendrickx converting two penalty corners and Roman Duvekot rounding off the tally.

The result: Belgium 5 (Arthur de Sloover 36, Tobias Biekens 39, Alexander Hendrickx 49-pc & 54-pc, Roman Duvekot 55) bt Argentina 2 (Tomas Domene 21-pc, Matias Rey 45).