Hockey World Cup 2018: Belgium beat Canada 2-1

ONI Bureau: Belgium survived the late onslaught from 11th ranked Canada to win the opening game of Hockey World Cup 2018 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar by a margin of 2-1.

The Belgian team dominated the proceedings from the very first minute and pounced on the Canadians. Felix Denayer scored the first goal in the 3rd minute. The Canadian defence prevented a few more goals in the first half, but Thomas Briels made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute.

The second half was a bit different with Canadians attacking more and strongly holding their defence. Mark Pearson scored the lone goal for Canada in the 48th minute. Although Canada got a couple of chances in the last quarter, but failed to convert.

Arthur Van Doren of Belgium was declared ‘Player of the Match’.