FIH Hockey Pro League action resumed in London with a gripping clash between the GB women and China.
With four goals scored in the final quarter, the match could have gone either way. Ultimately it ended in a draw, with the home side clinching the extra point after an epic shootout.
The GB men had a much easier time of it, securing a comfortable victory over Spain.
In the other women’s match of the day, Germany prevailed against the United States while their men’s side proved too strong for Ireland.
(Women’s) Great Britain 4 – 4 China (SO: 6 – 5)
Great Britain and China thrilled the London fans as they shared the points in an action-packed 4-4 draw, and the hosts then prevailed 6-5 in a shootout for a bonus point.
China absorbed some early pressure before striking in the 5th minute, Ma Ning placing her shot perfectly after GB were dispossessed inside their 22-yard area. GB kept the pressure up though and hit back with field goals from Isabelle Petter and Sophie Hamilton. Jinzhuang Tan then levelled the scores just before half time with a slick penalty corner slip to the left.
GB had some half chances through the third quarter, and Sarah Robertson fired them ahead at the start of the fourth. Gu Bingfeng then equalised for China with a 55th-minute penalty stroke, but Grace Balsdon restored GB’s lead from a penalty corner just a minute later. China substituted their goalkeeper briefly and got a result, Bingfeng equalising again from her second penalty stroke with just two minutes remaining. There was plenty of late drama as GB missed a penalty corner, a penalty stroke, and a field goal attempt for the win, as China hung on. Goalkeeper Amy Tennant then emerged as the hero for the hosts as they clinched a marathon 12-round shootout.
The player of the match went to Great Britain’s Sophie Hamilton who said: “We’ve been looking over these games to get some practice at all scenarios and I think we practised quite a few scenarios today.”
(Women’s) USA 0 – 2 Germany
Germany were slow starters once more but recovered brilliantly for a well-deserved 2-0 win over the USA. The Americans again came out positively in the first half, and it was somewhat against the run of play that Germany opened the scoring with a 20th-minute field goal.
The Germans raised their intensity significantly in the second half, dominating play and creating plenty of opportunities. They earned eight penalty corners in the third quarter alone, and Nike Lorenz eventually fired her drag flick into the top of the net to extend Germany’s lead in the 43rd minute. Die Danas continued to apply pressure as the clock ran down, but the USA defended well to deny them any additional goals.
Germany’s Sonja Zimmermann was named player of the match and commented on their improved performance since two days ago: “I say that speed was definitely a little higher, we were better defensively. We had not the best start, but we got better and better.”
(Men’s) Great Britain 4 – 1 Spain
Hosts Great Britain gave their fans plenty to cheer about in a comfortable 4-1 win over Spain, who had made 13 changes to the side that played in Antwerp last week. Gareth Furlong gave GB an early lead with a drag flick before Spain went on to completely dominate the opening quarter. The home side came into the
game in the second quarter and made the most of their chances, Sam Ward doubling their lead in the 17th minute and Stuart Rushmere making it 3-0 10 minutes later.
The third period was evenly contested, but Furlong snatched his second drag flick in the 45th minute to snuff out any chance of a Spanish comeback. There was some consolation for the Red Sticks, however, when Jordi Bonastre beat the GB keeper, scrambling in a botched penalty corner in the 52nd minute.
Zachary Wallace of Great Britain was awarded the player of the match and said: “Credit to Spain, they came out really hard at the start, put us under a bit of pressure, and it took us a bit longer than we wanted to get into the game. But after the second quarter, third quarter onwards I was really happy with our performance.”
(Men’s) Ireland 0 – 3 Germany
Germany had to work patiently for their 3-0 win over Ireland, with all the goals coming in the second half. The Irish actually dominated the first half after absorbing some early German pressure and the game remained evenly poised at half time.
But Germany took control in the second half, helped by their accuracy from set pieces. Timm Herzbruch put them ahead with a penalty stroke in the 36th minute, and Gonzalo Peillat added a drag flick to double that lead. Thies Prinz then grabbed the final goal in the closing seconds after Germany’s first wave ran down a penalty corner at the other end and broke out quickly.
Moritz Ludwig of Germany was named player of the match and said: “I think we weren’t as good as in the first game against Ireland but we scored at the right times and I think we deserved the win… I think we need to start a little bit better.”
Top Scorer Armband
To celebrate the talented goal-scorers throughout the season the FIH has introduced the Top Scorer Armband, which is being worn by the leading goal-scorers in the men’s and women’s competitions in the current season, as a visual mark for the fans, and for the players to wear proudly, match after match.
Current Top Scorers:
Women – Yibbi Jansen (NED) (15 goals)
Men – Jip Janssen (NED) (12 goals)
To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.
FIH Hockey Pro League – 5 June 2024
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London (UK)
WOMEN
Result: Match 53 (W)
Great Britain 4 – 4 China (SO: 6 – 5)
Player of the match: Sophie Hamilton (GBR)
Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Ivona Makar (CRO), Martin Madden (SCO-video)
Result: Match 54 (W)
United States 0 – 2 Germany
Player of the match: Sonja Zimmermann (GER)
Umpires: Coen Van Bunge (NED), Magali Sergeant (BEL), Michiel Otten (NED-video)
MEN
Result: Match 53 (M)
Great Britain 4 – 1 Spain
Player of the match: Zachary Wallace (GBR)
Umpires: Michiel Otten (NED), Ahmed Elsayed (EGY), Coen Van Bunge (NED-video)
Result: Match 54 (M)
Ireland 0 – 3 Germany
Player of the match: Moritz Ludwig (GER)
Umpires: Martin Madden (SCO), Sébastien Michielsen (BEL), Cookie Tan (SGP-video)
By FIH
