Hockey World Cup 2023: Defending champions Belgium play out 2-2 draw against Germany; South Korea beat Japan 2-1

Defending champions Belgium found the equaliser with six minutes left in the match to play out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Germany and keep themselves in the hunt for a direct quarterfinal qualification in the FIH Men's World Cup here on Tuesday.

Cedric Charlier gave Belgium the lead in the ninth minute with a field goal but Germany came back strongly and struck two goals through Wellen Niklas (22nd minute) and Tom Grambusch (52nd, penalty stroke).

Victor Wegnez scored a field goal in the 54th minute to save Belgium from defeat in the Pool B match.

Belgium and Germany are on four points from two matches and the group topper will be decided in their respective last matches on January 20 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela.

Belgium take on Japan while Germany face South Korea. Belgium are currently on top of the pool on the basis of better goal difference of plus five as against plus three of Germany.

South Korea came back from one goal down to beat Japan 2-1 in an earlier Pool A match.

Lee Jung-jun struck two field goals (eighth and 23th minutes) after Ken Nagayoshi had given South Korea the lead in the first minute through a penalty corner.

South Korea are at third spot with three points. They had lost to Belgium 0-5 in their first match. Japan had also lost their first match against Germany 0-3.

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