BHUBANESWAR (India): Pakis­tan coach Shahnaz Sheikh said the 2-1 defeat to Belgium in Pakistan’s first match at the Champions Trophy on Saturday wasn’t a “bad result” for his team.

“It was an even game and I thought my boys played well,” Shahnaz said. “Considering that we’ve not played many European teams in recent months and the fact that we’ve been trying out new things, it’s not a bad result for us and it was satisfying in the manner that we countered their game.

“We just lost by a goal and this I think is because of the inexperience on our side. We will come back strong in our next outing [against England].”

Thomas Briels scored Belgium’s match-winner in the 43rd minute after Muhammad Imran converted a penalty stroke for Pakistan in the 36th to equalise a 10th minute goal from Tanguy Cosyns.

World number four Belgium, who are playing in only their second Champions Trophy tournament but are considered dark horses as they have the most experienced side in this tournament, play Australia next on Sunday. England take on Pakistan the same day.

Defending champions Australia were upset 3-1 by England in the other Pool ‘A’ match at the Kalinga stadium on Saturday.

Samuel Ward struck two goals while Alastair Brogdon was the other scorer for England, who earned their first ever win over Australia in the tournament.

“It’s very disappointing to lose,” said Australian skipper Eddie Ockenden. “We did not start well and that cost us in the end. We had our chances, but need to push up our game.”

Belgium had the half-time lead when Cosyns scrambled home at the right post after a left wing attack spun invitingly for him.

They had the guts of the play from there on, creating eight circle entries, but were unable to break through the Pakistan defences. Tom Boon did draw a top save from Imran Butt from a high corner two minutes before the break to keep the margin at the minimum.

Pakistan improved markedly in the second half and were back on terms when a penalty

corner flick hit Loick Luypaert on the body. After an umpires consultation, a penalty stroke was awarded which captain Imran duly converted, wrong-footing Vincent Vanasch.

But Briels restored the lead in stunning style, finishing off with a delicate flip after Tom Boon eliminated a couple of defenders with some lovely stickwork in the 43rd minute and they held on in reasonable comfort to the lead for all the points on day one.

“We are really happy with the result as Pakistan are a really good side, Belgium captain John-John Dohmen said. “We did not play great but we did not play badly but we just need to play together a bit more in the next game.

“Tomorrow [against Australia] will be a great game for us. Playing the world champions who I think are the best team here — even though they lost today. They might be a bit angry to win this game.”

Australia, who are seeking an incredible sixth successive title, struggled to keep pace with their rivals after England went into half-time 2-0 up.

Brogdon opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a spectacular back flick before the 23-year-old Ward increased the lead off a rebound from the post in the 27th.

Chris Ciriello pulled back one for Australia with a penalty corner

but Ward, a last-minute replacement for the injured Harry Martin, made it 3-1 with a swift counter-attack three minutes from the end.

It was a disappointing start for the new-look Kookaburras, who were without retired veterans Liam de Young and Rob Hammond and the injured duo of five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles.

“I thought we played well but in patches,” England coach Bobby Crutchley said. “There is scope for a lot of improvement for us while they tried out quite a few new things since they’re not here with some first-choice players.”

Both teams played with black bands on their arms in memory of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who died last week after being hit by a bouncer in a domestic game.

In pool ‘B’, World Cup silver medallists the Netherlands opened their campaign with a 3-0 dismantling of Argentina. Mink van der Weerden, Robbert Kemperman and Diede van Puffelen scored for the Dutch.

In the final match of the day, hosts India were playing Olympic champions Germany.

Sunday’s fixtures (all times PST):

Australia vs Belgium 11:30am; Pakistan vs England 1:30pm; Germany vs Netherlands 5:00pm; India vs Argentina 7:00pm.

Published in Dawn December 7th , 2014