Belgium opened their FIH Pro League 2019 campaign on a disappointing note as Spain registered a 2-0 win via a shoot-out in the first of the 152 matches in Valencia.

The first half remained score-less. It was only in the third quarter when Belgium’s Maxime Plennevaux struck brilliant strike to give the Red Lions a 1-0 lead.

Belgium then doubled their lead with five minutes remaining thanks to a wonderful penalty corner drag-flick from Alexander Hendrickx.

But Spain, were not the ones to give up easy as they stayed in hunt snatching Belgium’s lead through Ignacio and Enrique Gonzelez ensuring the match went into a penalty shootout.

Two goals were scored by the Red Sticks in the fourth quarter showing just how intense this match was.

With just two minutes of the match remaining, Spain replaced goalkeeper Cortes with an outfield player,  a tactic that paid off  as Enrique Gonzalez fired into the Belgian net to level the scores and, forcing the game to go to a shoot-out.

Spain 2, Belgium 2 (2-0 After Shoot Out)

Shootout Details

Team Attacker Defender Result Score
Spain ROMEU Josep VANASCH Vincent Goal 1 – 0
Belgium WEGNEZ Victor CORTES Quico No Goal 1 – 0
Spain IGLESIAS Alvaro VANASCH Vincent Goal 2 – 0
Belgium KINA Antoine CORTES Quico No Goal 2 – 0
Spain LLEONART Xavi VANASCH Vincent No Goal 2 – 0
Belgium de SLOOVER Arthur CORTES Quico No Goal 2 – 0
Spain ENRIQUE Sergi VANASCH Vincent No Goal 2 – 0
Belgium van AUBEL Florent CORTES Quico No Goal 2 – 0

 

Next up : The FIH Pro League continues on 25 January with Spain men in action once again, when they take on Great Britain at the Estadio Betero at 1100 Central European Time (UTC +1).

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