POOL B:
Belgium – Pakistan: 0-2 (0-0 halftime)

After strong efforts that left them empty handed yesterday, both Pakistan and Belgium were looking for redemption – and to pick up their first points – when the met today at the 2012 Champions Trophy in Pool B action. In the end, Pakistan came away with the bragging rights, and three points after a close 2-0 win.

Pakistan’s game plan was clear – to apply pressure to the Belgian defense and press forward at every opportunity. The plan created a handful of dynamic scoring chances, but ultimately, the Pakistan players got a little too fancy once they were in the D and couldn’t make the opportunities count.

On the other side, Belgium seemed content to play a more passive role with its scoring chances coming few and far between.

Pakistan was finally rewarded for its offensive efforts when Abdul Haseem Khan scored on a breakout firing the shot high into the net with 15 minutes left in the game. After the Pakistan goal, Belgium came to life and even pulled its goalkeeper, but despite having its best chances all game, Belgium could not get on the board. With the goalie out of net, Pakistan was able to put in a late insurance marker with 45 seconds left to secure the 2-0 victory.

Meanwhile, Belgium, in its Champions Trophy debut, is still after its first-ever points at the top-level men’s event after suffering two tough losses in its first two outings here in Melbourne.