Tom bags four as Belgium show their title credentials
Tom Boon showed exactly why he is rated as one of the finest strikers in world hockey by scoring four times to help Belgium’s Red Lions storm to a 6-2 triumph over Pool A rivals Malaysia. The Malaysians found themselves ahead on two occasions in the contest, but Boon netted a first half hat-trick before grabbing a fourth either side of goals from Tanguy Cosyns and John-John Dohmen to take victory in arguably the most entertaining match played so far at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup.
The result means that Belgium join Australia at the summit of Pool A, level on points with the world number 1 ranked team but in second place due to a marginally inferior goal difference. Malaysia remain without a point and currently sit at the bottom of the pool.
The proximity of The Hague to the Belgium border ensured that the European team had hundreds of cheering fans in the Greenfields Stadium, while a small but extremely passionate group of Malaysian supporters made themselves known throughout.
The game itself was a fantastic match-up, with two teams with a complete commitment to attacking hockey contested an open, free flowing match that was packed full of drama. Malaysia drew first blood when Razie Abd Rahim netted a drag-flick from a super-slick penalty corner routine, but the Belgians restored parity when a classy attack earned a penalty stroke which was dispatched in emphatic style by Tom Boon.
Malaysia’s lead was restored when Razie netted his second penalty corner goal of the game in the 19th minute before Belgium were reduced to ten men when Alexandre de Saedeleer was shown a yellow card for a rash tackle. Being one player down didn’t stop the Red Lions from scoring though, with Boon sending a penalty corner drag flick into the bottom corner of Kumar Subramiam’s goal.
De Saedeleer returned to the action just in time to watch Tom Boon hammer a brilliant shot into the top right corner of the goal, although a smart video referral from Malaysia ensured that the strike was ruled out due to the ball hitting the body of the Belgian marksman. It proved only to be a minor set back, as Boon rattled in a third in the 31st minute to complete his hat-trick and give Belgium a 3-2 lead at the break.
The frenetic action continued throughout the second half, with Belgium stamping their superiority on the match by adding a further three goals to their tally. Tanguy Cosyns netted a penalty corner before Boon scored his fourth and staked his claim for goal of the tournament with a stunning strike in the 45th minute. The 24-year-old showed wonderful perseverance to force two saves from Kumar before jinxing through a crowd of defenders and crashing home a spectacular backhand volley into the bottom corner. It was a magical moment that thrilled the near capacity crowd at the Greenfields Stadium, leaving almost 5000 people an a state of awe.
John-John Dohmen completed the match scoring in the 56th minute, adding gloss to a performance which will send a clear statement that Belgium are serious contenders for the medals here at the Rabobank Hockey World Cup.
Official Match Report (PDF)