Hockey World Cup: Red Lions wipe the floor with Japan and become group winner

Belgium's national men's hockey team (FIH 2) won its final match against Japan in Group B at the men's hockey World Cup in India 7-1 on Friday. As group winners, the Red Lions immediately qualified for the quarter-finals.

With five goals, Tom Boon became the matchwinner during the clash between Belgium and Japan. In the case of a draw with Germany, the goal difference would determine who won the group. So it came down to scoring as many goals as possible against Japan.

Not enough goals

A couple of hours later, on Friday afternoon, Germany played against South Korea (FIH 10). The Germans had to win that match by at least nine goals to move ahead of Belgium to win the group. However, Germany did not get past 2-7, meaning that the Belgians finished first.

In the quarter-finals, the Red Lions, defending their world title in India, face the winner of the duel between the runner-up in Group D, India, and the third country from Group C, New Zealand, next Tuesday in Bhubaneswar. Germany has to play barrages a day earlier against France, the number three in Group A.

^{Belgium's Tanguy Cosyns pictured during a game between Belgium's Red Lions and Japan, in the third game of the group stage (in the pool B) of the 2023 Men's FIH Hockey World Cup in Rourkela, India, Friday 20 January 2023.}

^{© BELGA PHOTO AND VIDEO DIRK WAEM}