ANTWERP: Malaysia’s winning run in the World Hockey League Semi-Finals came to end after a 2-0 loss to Belgium in a Group B match at the KHC Dragons Stadium.
Dorian Thiery scored the opening goal for Belgium in the 38th minute from a quick counter-attack.
A minute later Simon Gougnard put the Belgian side 2-0 up from a deflection.
Tai Beng Hai's boys put up a gallant fight but were left lagging behind when the Belgians used their speed to attack along the flanks.
Malaysia, ranked 12th in the world, went into the match with two wins achieved against China (3-2) and Ireland (4-2) while the Belgians, No. 4, had drawn 2-2 with Britain and beat China 6-0.
The first two quarters of the game were evenly matched in the midfield by both sides.
Belgium had their first chance to score through a penalty corner in the 27th minute, but Tanguy Cosyns's direct flick was well saved by Malaysian No. 1 Roslan Jamaluddin.
Malaysia had a chance to score from a penalty corner in the 50th minute, but they failed to convert the chance.
In a Group A match earlier Asian Games champions India drew 2-2 with Pakistan.
Ramandeep Singh was on target for India in the 13th and 39th minutes while Mohamed Imran scored a brace for Pakistan to drew level in the 23rd and 37th minutes.
India has already earned a ticket for the 2016 Olympic in Rio de Janeiro after winning the Asian Games gold medal in South Korea last year.
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