Last Update: January 14, 2023, 22:38 IST
Belgium dominate Korea, Germany beat Japan (Twitter/@TheHockeyIndia)
The Koreans held Belgium to half-time but the reigning world and Olympic champions European side scored two and three goals in the third and fourth quarters.
Holders Belgium thrash a courageous Korea 5-0 to start their defense World Two-time champions Germany beat defending Asian Games champions Japan 3-0 to clinch the title here on Saturday.
The Koreans did not allow Belgium to open the scoring until half-time, but the World and Olympic champion European side scored two and three goals in the third and fourth quarters respectively in the Pool B match at the Kalinga Stadium. ,
Read this also | Hockey World Cup 2023: Waiting for England Test India after an impressive debut
Five different players scored for world number two Belgium with three strikes from open play. Hendrickx Alexander opened the scoring for Belgium in the first minute of the third quarter, before Kossins Tangui scored a field goal in the 42nd minute.
Korean resistance then broke down and Belgium went on a rampage in the final quarter with goals from Van Oubel Florent (49th, penalty corner), Dockier Sébastien (51st, field goal) and De Slover Arthur (57th, field goal).
Hockey World Cup: England will be tough to face, have to keep up the good defensive work – Graham Reid
No goal could be scored till half time in the second match of Pool B played at the Kalinga Stadium. Grambush Mats gave the world number four German the lead in the 35th minute by converting a penalty corner, but Ruhr Christopher scored a field goal five minutes later.
Prinz Theis (48th minute) sealed the deal with a field effort in the final quarter as world No. 16 Japan failed to find the net.
read all Latest sports news Here
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)