Hockey WC 2018: Proficient Belgium in line to earn direct entry into quarters

Belgium showed some skillful play against South Africa to register a 5-1 win in their last Pool C match of the ongoing men's Hockey World Cup here at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday. They can now qualify directly for the quarter-final round of the prestigious tournament if India fails to score against Canada in the second Pool C match of the day.A goal in the very first minute of the match by South Africa was something not many people were expecting but the world number 15 side unsettled the opposition with the initial cracker. A cross from the left wing was quickly grabbed by Nicholas Spooner of South Africa who smashed the ball right into the opposition goal post to give his side a 1-0 lead.Rattled Belgium made a strong comeback and scored the equaliser in the 13th minute of the match as Alexander Hendrickx converted a penalty corner into a perfectly executed goal right before the end of the first quarter. The Belgian dominance continued on the field as they scored two more goals, ..