Having already clinched the FIH Hockey Pro League title a week ago, the Netherlands made sure to sign off the season on a triumphant note by beating Germany 1-0 in Amsterdam on Saturday in the final women’s match of the tournament. That made it 15 wins from 16 matches this season with the Dutch emerging as worthy champions for a fourth time.
Yibbi Jansen once again earned the top scorer award with an impressive tally of 19 goals this season.
Earlier, Great Britain and Belgium played to a 1-1 draw with GB then claiming the extra point for their win in the shootout. The one point for the draw was enough to see Belgium climbing above China to secure fourth place while GB finished in seventh spot.
That wrapped up another exhilarating season for the women, with one more men’s match to come on Sunday.
(Women’s) Belgium 1 – 1 Great Britain (SO: 2 – 4)
Great Britain struggled in grinding out a 1-1 draw for a share of the points with Belgium, and then held their nerve to win the shootout 4-2 for a bonus point. The Belgians asserted constant pressure at the start of the match, but GB managed to absorb it before getting on the front foot. Sophie Hamilton gave GB the lead in the 14th minute after some good team play, although it was her miscued shot that sent the goalkeeper the wrong way. The Red Panthers bounced back to boss the second quarter, creating three golden opportunities in quick succession, and earning two penalty corners just before half time. They couldn’t find a goal though and GB held a slender 1-0 lead at half time.
Belgium equalised from a penalty corner early in the third quarter, Miriam Pritchard making a good save only for Charlotte Englebert to score from the rebound. The rest of the match was fairly evenly contested, but GB made a number of unforced errors that disrupted their own efforts. Belgium looked most likely to score through the final quarter, but despite earning three penalty corners they couldn’t convert. The match went to a shootout where GB prevailed, while the single point for Belgium was enough to climb above China for fourth spot in the final standings.
Sophie Hamilton received the player of the match award and said: “We were looking to bounce back from yesterday so we’re really happy. It’s good to practice scenarios so close to the Olympics so a shootout was a good opportunity as well.”
(Women’s) Netherlands 1 – 0 Germany
In a fitting finale to the women’s FIH Hockey Pro League, champions the Netherlands dug deep for their 1-0 win over second-placed Germany. The first quarter was played mostly in the middle third of the pitch with both defensive units shutting down any attacking opportunities quickly. The first real chance for the Dutch fell to Frédérique Matla in the 20th minute, but she looked for a penalty corner instead of taking the shot and was dispossessed. A minute later Germany’s Charlotte Stapenhorst fired over the crossbar from close range, triggering a total onslaught from Germany including four penalty corners with two re-awards, and a shot from open play. Dutch goalkeeper Josine Koning made three critical saves and a double save to keep it goalless at half time.
The Netherlands started the third quarter well, winning two penalty corners and being denied by an excellent stick save by Nathalie Kubalski from open play. They went on to dictate the quarter and the stage was set for a thrilling finish. Something special was needed to break the deadlock, and the chance fell to Dutch skipper Xan de Waard who fired in a field goal from the top of the circle after the Germans were dispossessed in defence. Germany substituted their goalkeeper with six minutes remaining and had one last roll of the dice from a penalty corner with 10 seconds left on the clock, but Koning was up to the task, executing the save to secure the win.
The player of the match was awarded to Josine Koning of the Netherlands who said: “It was an exciting match. I think it wasn’t our best game, it was a fighting game. I’m so glad we won, and that was all we had to do today.”
To see the final standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.
FIH Hockey Pro League – 29 June 2024
Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen (NED)
WOMEN
Result: Match 71 (W)
Belgium 1 – 1 Great Britain (SO: 2 – 4)
Player of the match: Sophie Hamilton (GBR)
Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA), Sandra Adell (ESP), Ayden Shrives (RSA-video)
Result: Match 72 (W)
Netherlands 1 – 0 Germany
Player of the match: Josine Koning (NED)
Umpires: Hannah Harrison (ENG), Rachel Williams (ENG), Wanri Venter (RSA-video)
by Asia Hockey
