Raipur: Belgium’s Red Lions have set up a semi-final meeting against host nation India thanks to a 2-1 win over Argentina in the quarter-finals of the Hero Hockey World League Final 2015 in Raipur.

Alexandre hendrickx gave Belgium the lead with a low, powerful penalty corner effort in the 22nd minute, before Sebastien Dockier added a second three minutes before the half time break, forcing the ball home following a goal-mouth scramble. A defensive error from Loick Luypaert was punished by Argentina’s Los Leones, with Agustin Mazzilli eliminating the goalkeeper with a perfectly placed pass into the corner of the Belgian goal. However, it proved to be only a consolation, with Belgium’s defensive line holding firm to see out the victory.

“I think we had a very good game plan, very well structured, and we play it almost to perfection”, said Belgium defender Arthur van Doren. “We made one mistake and it cost us a goal, and we almost got into a bit of trouble, and we defended hard in the final minutes but we kept it together.”

Looking ahead to his team’s semi-final meeting against host nation India, Van Doren said: “It is a big honour to play India in India, so it is something that the whole team is really looking forward to. These are the kind of games that you train all year for, the chance to play against a good Indian side in a big stadium. We will prepare well and try to get the victory.”

Argentina captain Pedro Ibarra said: “It was a very hard match for us. Belgium are a good, experienced team, and I think we played well but not well enough to win. I mean, it wasn’t a bad game for us, but we lost. It was our responsibility to win today but we couldn’t.”

Hero Man of the Match: Felix Denayer