Hosts India beaten as Belgium book Hockey World League Final date with Australia

Cédric Charlier's early goal helped Belgium overcome India ©Getty Images

An early goal from Cédric Charlier proved enough to for Belgium to overcome hosts India and set up a final with Australia at the Hockey World League Final in Raipur.

India were hoping to build on their surprise victory over Britain in the quarter-finals, having ended the pool phase of competition without a win, however they found themselves chasing the game after just five minutes.

After a patient passing move Jérôme Truyens found Charlier on the right of the Indian area and with the reverse of his stick fired a powerful shot through the legs of India’s goalkeeper Sreejesh Parattu.

The early strike appeared to rattle the Indian team with a loose pass allowing Belgium’s Tanguy Cosyns to advance on Parattu but he failed to double his side’s advantage by firing over the frame of the goal.

Having reached half-time without falling further behind, the home favourites rallied at the start of the second half, with a quick counter-attack presenting substitute Akashdeep Singh with the chance to level the score.

Singh failed to beat Belgium’s goalkeeper Vincent Vanasch and the striker spurred another opportunity with a volley in the final quarter of the game.

The host’s final chance fell to Sunil Sowmarpet but Vanasch once again prevented an equaliser by kicking the ball away to seal his team’s 1-0 victory.

“We knew it would be difficult today because they have the crowd with them and they have a very tough defence”, said Sebastian Dockier, who made his 100th appearance for Belgium.

“We did a great job in defence, but maybe we could have scored two or three more goals earlier in the match, but I am really pleased that we kept them out, we did a great job.”

Germany finished seventh after beating Canada 8-3 ©Getty Images

While Belgium will face Australia in tomorrow’s final, India will meet The Netherlands in the bronze medal game.

Olympic champions Germany were able to avoid finishing the tournament as the worst ranked team after thrashing Canada to secure seventh place.

A brace from Christopher Rühr and a penalty corner from Moritz Fürste gave them a 3-0 lead after the first eight minutes of the contest.

The scoreline threatened to become embarrassing for the Canadian team after Niklas Wellen and Lukas Windfeder added to the German lead.

An unlikely comeback though appeared on the cards as Gordon Johnston, Matthew Guest and a penalty stroke from Scott Tupper reduced the deficit entering the final 10 minutes.

The Canadians threw players forward as they looked to complete an unlikely comeback only for Germany to hit them on the break on three occasions with Florian Fuchs, Oliver Korn and Constantin Staib scoring to complete an 8-3 win.