Rourkela: Defending champions Belgium booked their berth in the quarterfinals of the FIH Men’s World Cup Odisha 2023 by topping Pool B.
On a day when 38 goals were scored in four matches at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium and Birsa Munda International Stadium here, Belgium romped past Japan 7-1 with Tom Boon scoring 5 of those.
It left Germany with the task of beating Korea by a 9-goal margin, but they managed a 7-2 victory – thanks to a Niklas Wellen hattrick — to finish second in Pool B on goal difference. Germany and third-placed Korea will play in the Crossover round.
Earlier, a rampaging Australia walloped South Africa 9-2 at Bhubaneswar to win Pool A. Blake Govers scored 4 goals.
The day’s most competitive game saw Argentina snatch second place with a 59th-minute strike which helped them hold France 5-5. Argentina finished with 5 points, while Argentina qualified for the Crossovers with 4 points.
