Belgium beat India for the first time in Olympic hockey on Tuesday, getting a 3-0 victory.
The Belgians finished third in Pool B behind semifinalists the Netherlands and Germany, securing a playoff for fifth-sixth and their highest placing in the Olympics since the 1928 Amsterdam Games, where they were fourth.
India, the faded eight-time gold medallist, was already assured of its worst Olympic result before its fifth straight pool loss. India will face South Africa to avoid 12th and last place.
Jerome Dekeyser lashed in the first goal, high to the far post after 15 minutes, his third of the games and a 182-match career. Gauthier Boccard made it 2-0 in the 46th when Tom Boon’s shot bounced off a defender’s foot and the defence hesitated. Boccard casually reclaimed the ball and whacked it home. Boon finished off the scoring in the 67th, blasting a backhand running away from the defence.
Keywords: 2012 London Olympics, India in London
The Indian players are not mentally strong and do not possess the ability to think the moves.It clearly appears that they are below average even among the common man in this aspect. We need mentally strong sportsmen and not a bunch of timid, unimaginative sportsmen. It is high time, that the mental capabilities of the individual be assessed , before they are selected to play for the nation.
Indian hockey!!. I think it will become an antique sports in a few years. Players shouting for their remunerations they got it. They wanted to go one month ago to europe for better preparation authority accepted. Whenever return is concerned they returned a big shame for the nation's people who are expecting more from them. what a shame all of the players should be banned and campaign has to be launched for the indian hockey for better players and better performances for our nations. Do not believe hockey is our own game. new federation should be formed for better once. Jai hind.
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