Starting next weekend, the Belgian hockey men will put their European hockey title on the line in the Netherlands. The host country helped the Red Lions out of their dreams this afternoon. In the closing of the Pro League, an international competition, the Orange squad won 4-0 at the Wilrijkse Pleinen.
The Belgians had an off day, the Dutch dominated with clever and smart actions. They were 2 goals ahead at halftime.
Bovendeert opened the score, Pruijser moved in the second. In the second half, Van Ass (with a penalty corner) and Brinkman doubled. The Red Lions could only put a bang on the post against that.
In the end, little changed. Belgium wins the Pro League, but with the European Championship and the Olympic Games on the horizon, the Red Lions have both feet on the ground.
(scroll down for comments)
“We are back on the ground, yes”, said Nicolas De Kerpel, “but losing 4-0 is never nice.”
“It is now up to us to react and we will do everything we can in the coming matches,” promises the Belgian international.
“You never ask for it, but let’s look at this as a reminder. Now we know the difference between winning and losing again,” national coach Shane McLeod picks up. “Let this be a lesson on the way to Tokyo.”
Where was the problem? “Our midfield, normally very strong, had a hard time,” says the coach. “I saw my internationals think too much. The Netherlands played with a lot of grinta, we only acted well in the last quarter.”
McLeod also changed many players. “That’s why not everyone was always in their position. You saw that, but in the coming matches everyone will gradually take their place again.”
