BEL vs NED Dream 11 Team: World champions Belgium look to put behind recent struggles when they take on Netherlands in the second semi-final today
Belgium Vs Netherlands Semi-Final 2 FIH Pro League Best Dream 11 Team
A young but brimming to the fore with specialist skills squad, for Belgium the last year in the hockey arena has been one to remember. On a massive up rise owing to their fearless attacking brand of hockey, the side first made a name for themselves when they won the FIH Hockey World Cup in India owing to rapturous performances.
Ever since then, there has been no looking back for Belgium. They have kept climbing up in the ranks of the hockey arena, earning laurels from all quarters as they found themselves reach the number 1 ranking in the FIH release. And carrying on in the same tune, the side refused to change their style come the FIH Pro League, playing the same fast, fluid and exuberant brand of hockey.
It served them perfectly as well in the first half of the showpiece tournament with them sitting in the echelons after the culmination of the first 7 matches. Ever since then though, the side have been guilty of focusing too much on attack, letting the defensive side of their game suffer in return which saw them slip down to second place as they went on a losing spree towards the end.
Now taking on Netherlands today for a place in the summit clash, Belgium will be aware that they can’t accord even the slightest bit of slipups. They are against a team who at ranking of third in the world are a fine unit in themselves, possessing a strong, solid unit of players who will pounce on the smallest bit of mistake they spot.
Probable Winner
While their problems stemmed towards their closing bits of the league stage, the fact that Belgium were unbeatable in the opening half of the tournament can’t be ignored. They ended their 14 matches with 9 wins and just the 5 defeats, a solid record which epitomises just how strong they are at the moment.
Luck to find themselves in third place, more so by Germany’s poor form than their own good showing, we don’t see Netherlands winning this one. Although it will be a goal galore encounter, Belgium have that added extra bit of firepower over Netherlands which will suffice well for them. They’ll outscore Netherlands and progress to the final from this one.
Goal-Keeper BEL vs NED Dream 11
Only one goal-keeper has spent a long enough time in the league to earn our trust. Sam Van Der Ven from Netherlands has gotten the maximum playing time out of all of the viable 6 choices and he is the most sound option to go ahead with for this match.
Defenders for BEL vs NED Dream 11
Having conceded a colossal 32 goals and up against a Belgium unit who have ripped sides apart on their way to nothing up an unprecedented 52 goals in 14 matches, our decision to veer clear of too many defensive options from Netherlands is hardly a surprising one. We have picked up only Jonas de Geus from the side, a defender we see holding his own and churning up a fight infront of the opposition.
Form Belgium on the other hand, the story is completely contrary. They might have let in 29 goals themselves but their playing 11 consists of attack minded defenders, player who love building out from the back to create the platform of a successful attacking unit for their side.
At the forefront of that is Alexander Hendrickx, an integral part of the successful penalty corner routines. Out of the 11 conversion Belgium have managed, Alexander has gotten himself on the end of 6 of those and he’s our first pick from the side without a doubt. Arthur Van Doren will accompany him for this one.
Midfielders for BEL vs NED Dream 11
Coming in from Netherlands is a player we have always opted from their set up. Billy Baker has been a pivotal player for them, someone who has always taken centrestage in the middle of the park to help solidify an extremely important area for his side.
Whilst its only the one selection from Netherlands, a trio of midfielders make a foray into our playing 11 from Belgium. Stacked to the cup with a slew of skilled performers in this facet, Arthur de Sloover, Simon Gougnard and Antoine Kina have all been responsible in unison for the consummate success their side have tasted in this facet.
Forwards for BEL vs NED Dream 11
When you pummel apart sides with a mammoth 52 goals, you deserve all the plaudits for your attacking sense of hockey and Belgium have been at the receiving end of that throughout their time in the league. They have spared no expense in raking up the goals, irrespective of the identity of the opposition and staying true to this narrative, we have a duo coming in from their side.
With 16 goals in between them, the 8 for either one of them, Cedric Charlier and Sebastien Dockier needed no second invitation to enter our side. It’s been a joyous partnership to watch and we see them causing all sorts of trouble to Netherlands today. From Netherlands, it’s their own top scorer with the 7 goals to his name, Jeroen Hertzberger who comes in.
Captain And Vice-Captain
We have opted for Cedric Charlier as our captain for this one while Alexander from Belgium as well is our vice-captain.
Match Details
FIH Pro League
Match: Belgium Vs Netherlands, Semi-Final 2
Date And Time: 28th June, Friday- 11:30pm IST
Venue: Wagener Stadium, Amsterdam
