By Alam Zeb Safi
ANTWERP, Belgium: Tobias Biekens struck twice as ruhthless Belgium demolished Pakistan 7-1 in a one-sided FIH Pro League show at the Belfius Hockey Arena on Saturday.
The hosts delivered an offensive masterclass, converting their territory into seven goals to leave Pakistan trailing throughout the match. Belgium seized control early when Nelson Onana opened the scoring in the third minute with a well-placed field goal. Despite early Belgian pressure, Pakistan’s defense held firm for the remainder of the first quarter, though they struggled to generate forward momentum, managing just seven circle penetrations across the entire match compared to Belgium’s 30.
The second quarter turned into a defensive stalemate with neither side finding the back of the net, leaving Belgium with a narrow 1-0 lead at halftime. Pakistan struck back shortly after the interval. Waheed Ashraf Rana capitalized on a rare attacking opportunity, slicing through the Belgian defense to score a field goal in the 33rd minute and level the score at 1-1.
However, Pakistan’s joy was short-lived. Belgium responded with ruthless efficiency, regaining the lead just five minutes later through a Thibeau Stockbroekx field goal in the 38th minute. Alexander Hendrickx then extended the cushion to 3-1 by converting a penalty corner in the 42nd minute, Belgium’s solitary success from 11 penalty corner opportunities. The final quarter saw Pakistan’s defense completely collapse under a relentless Belgian onslaught, conceding four goals in a devastating nine-minute spell. Arthur de Sloover triggered the late surge with a 47th minute field goal. Tobias Biekens then took center stage, scoring twice in a frantic window. Biekens fired home his first in the 50th minute and added his second just over four minutes later to push the scoreline to 6-1. Guillaume Hellin compounded Pakistan’s misery, scoring a field goal in the 51st minute, before Tom Boon capped off the rout with a final field goal in the 55th minute.
Discipline also wavered as the game grew stretched. Pakistan’s lone goalscorer Waheed Ashraf Rana received a green card, while Belgium’s Thibeau Stockbroekx and Arthur de Sloover were also temporarily suspended with green cards during the match.
With 25 shots on goal and total control of the midfield, Belgium’s clinical finishing ensured a comprehensive victory, while Pakistan was left to rue a defensive breakdown in the final period.
This is the ninth successive loss in the league so far from Pakistan. Pakistan were subjected to defeats, two each at the hands of Argentina and the Netherlands in the first phase in Argentina. The Green-shirts then lost four more matches, two each against Germany and Australia in the next phase in Australia.
In Belgium phase Pakistan will now face Spain in their next show on Sunday (tomorrow) also at the Belfius Arena.
