Colin Batch’s men’s team completed a fine day for New Zealand hockey when they outplayed Belgium 3-1 today.
The win came at the perfect time. Playing a previously unbeaten side, the New Zealanders had to win to avoid elimination from the tournament. With their victory New Zealand have secured a quarter-final berth.
After a scoreless first half, the floodgates opened with goals from Simon Child, Nick Wilson and Hugo Inglis. The result means Great Britain are Brazil eliminated from the tournament.
Batch said his side really stepped up in the face of immense pressure.
“It’s one of our best ever performances under that sort of pressure,” he said.
“We were patient and denied them on penalty corners, which set a strong platform for us.”
Striker Inglis said the result gave the side a confidence boost approaching the quarters.
“We stuck to task really well,” he said. “In the first half they had a lot of possession, but we weathered the storm and pulled off a good win.”
The New Zealanders drew first blood in the 31st minute when Child connected with a superb forehand shot from a penalty corner.
Five minutes later the lead was doubled with Wilson received a good pass from James Coughlan and smashed home the goal.
Inglis sealed the result nine minutes from fulltime after a brilliant solo run in which he weaved through traffic before slipping a shot past the goalkeeper.
Belgium scored a consolation goal with just two minutes remaining.
It was New Zealand’s first win over Belgium in five years.
Midfielder Arun Panchia was playing his 200th international.