FIH Hockey Pro League: Belgian men dominate Argentina in 4-2 win - Alexander Hendrickx shines
The Belgian men’s hockey squad defeated Argentina 4-2 in an FIH Hockey Pro League clash at the Estadio Mendocino de Hockey in Mendoza, Argentina, on November 10
Alexander Hendrickx of BelgiumWithin the regulation time, Alexander Hendrickx, in the 12th, 28th, 36th and 54th minutes, was the lone goalscorer for Belgium. In contrast, in the 18th minute, Vila Lucas and Ferrero Lautaro scored for Argentina in the 58th minute.
The reigning Olympic champions Belgium began the match aggressively as Alexander Hendrickx broke into the Argentine circle, but goalkeeper Nehuen Hernando denied him the goal. Soon after, Federico Monja got the opportunity to open the scoring for Argentina. However, he topped the ball with a dreadful error.
Alexander Hendrickx finally opened the scoring for Belgium with an excellent shot into the bottom corner of the Argentine net in the 12th minute.
Bautista Capurro took control of the ball from Alexander Hendrickx and sent the ball to Lucas Vila, who fired the ball into the net to equalize the score for Argentina. Just before halftime, Alexander Hendrickx scored again to regain the lead for Belgium with a penalty corner flick.
Just six minutes into the third quarter, Alexander Hendrickx fired another goal from the penalty corner to finish his hat trick. Argentina tried to take control but failed as the third quarter ended with a 3-1 lead for Belgium.
Belgium maintained firm control of the ball in the final quarter. Alexander Hendrickx scored again to make it four with a penalty corner flick past the Argentine goalkeeper Nehuen Hernando.
Argentina began hunting for more goals erratically, and Lautaro Ferrero found a consolation goal. The last match of the FIH Pro League tour in Mendoza ended with a 4-2 victory for Belgium.
In a post-match interview, the man of the match, Alexander Hendrickx, said, “I think it was a hard-fought game. In the beginning, it was pretty equal, but in the end, we made the difference by controlling the game and keeping the ball and eventually enjoyed the score of 4-2 as a result.”
The next FIH Hockey Pro League clash will feature Great Britain and the Netherlands locking horns in Santiago del Estero, Argentina, on December 14
In the women’s category, Belgium secured a 2-1 victory over Argentina in the shootout following a 2-1 draw.