Belgium’s Red Loins Wins Hockey World Cup 2018

Belgium finished by being the no.1 Hockey team in the world. Red Loins became the world champions as for the first time ever as they defeated Netherlands Hockey team in a high voltage game at final of the Hockey World Cup 2018 on 16^th December, 2018.

The Red Loins won by 3-2 at the penalty shootout against the three-time world champions Netherlands in the race to win the world title at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. As the day belonged to Belgium hockey in which its team registered its second highest international title after achieving silver medal at Olympics in Rio in 2016. Netherlands hockey team did fail to equalize Pakistan team’s record of a fourth world title that too for the second consecutive edition. The Dutch team has finished as runners-up to Australia four years ago in front of their home crowd. Coincidentally, it was the Netherlands' had their second consecutive match that finished with penalty shootout at the tournament but the results differ as they had a victory over Australia in the semi-finals on 15^th December, 2018. Belgium’s goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch overplayed his Dutch’s counter Pirmin Blaak as he made four goal saves by his hand for the side to achieve their maiden World Cup title. In the inception of shootout Jeroen Hertzberger and Jonas de Geus scored first two goals for Netherlands, while Florent van Aubel and Victor Wegnez scored one each for Belgium, so the results in the shoot-out were levelled by 2-2 at one time after five tries. When it was a last attempt for Belgium, Arthur de Sloover scored on their fifth and last attempt so as to win the game and thereafter it was wild celebrations for Red Lions bench. After that Dutch goalkeeper referred for a foot appeal so the goal was later withdrawn after TV replays displayed that the ball touched De Sloover's feet when he went on to push it to the nets. After that Van Aubel was handed over the responsibility by Belgium to take this opportunity and he thereafter converted it into goal which resulted in a win for the Red Loins. The title clash was attended by the cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also turned out to support the game so enjoy the contest between the two European sides and saw Red Lions making their way out.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/hockey/hockey-world-cup/hockey-world-cup-golden-finish-to-red-lions-rise/articleshow/67138970.cms