Thies prinz

FIH Hockey Pro League: Striker and penalty corner expert Tom Boon struck a fine hat-trick as Belgium overcame Olympic silver medallist Germany 6-3 as the first stage of the new FIH Hockey Pro League season came to an end here on Monday. The Red Lions produced a dominant second-half performance to overcome Germany to finish the stage on top of the table with eight points.

Belgium snuffed the life out of Germany with a purple patch in the fourth quarter, claiming a dominant 6-3 win, according to a report on the FIH website.

The teams had to wrestle for space in a cagey first quarter. Belgium started the better team, opening the scoring in the fifth minute from a quick free hit, the deflection off a German stick 30 yards out travelling straight to William Ghislain in front of the goal who slotted in the opener. There were a couple of circle entries at both ends before Tom Boon stretched Belgium’s lead with a well-struck field goal in the 15th minute.