England lose 8-2 to Belgium in Pro League
England’s women’s football team lost 8-2 to Belgium after leading by two goals in the China Professional League final in Hangzhou on Thursday.
David Ralph’s inexperienced England were on the back foot early on, with Sophie Hamilton putting pressure on goalkeeper Miriam Pritchard after Astrid Bonami’s wayward pass Then he was forced to clear the ball.
But they took the lead late in the first quarter when Megan Crowson scored from inside the D zone off a rebound.
Martha Taylor won a corner with a fine performance and Millie Giglio doubled the lead midway through the second period.
Belgium began to revive late in the first half and they pulled a goal back when Vanessa Blockman deflected a shot from the penalty corner, before Justine Rasir converted the ball early in the third period. The team equalized.
Belgium completed the comeback when Stephanie van den Bore struck from another penalty corner before Bonami rebounded from close range.
Lisa Moors fired the fifth through Pritchard’s legs before Charlotte Englebert and Vanden Borre added in the closing seconds Minutes expanded the score.
England has suffered three consecutive defeats and currently has one win and three losses.
England defeated Belgium 3-1 in the first game before losing to Olympic silver medalist China in consecutive games.
Ralph’s side will return to the OHL on February 15 against India in Bhubaneswar.
