Joosje Burg (47′, 48′) netted twice, while Frederique Matla (10′), Sanne Koolen (37′) and Maria Steensma (55′) scored a goal each to help the Netherlands beat Great Britain Women. Izzy Petter (47′) scored the consolation goal for GB.
Determined to end the tour with a win, GB started the match on the front foot, and earned two penalty corners in quick successions, but missed out on capitalising on it. The Dutch responded and broke the deadlock in the 10th minute through Matla’s reverse flick inside the circle.
The defending champions rode on the momentum as they kept testing GB goalie Sabbie Heesh, who stood tall to deny the Dutch from doubling their lead. GB also made some inroads into the Dutch striking circle, but couldn’t cause much danger as they ended the first half trailing by a goal.
The Netherlands doubled their lead in the 37th minute through Koleen’s powerful slap shot during a penalty corner routine. They also earned yet another penalty corner, but couldn’t convert it and ended the quarter with a two-goal lead.
Great Britain started the final quarter brightly and pulled a goal back in the 47th minute. Ellie Rayer broke through the Dutch defence, and played inside the circle to Petter who controlled and slotted the ball home with ease to make it 1-2.
However, that was short-lived as Burg added as many as two goals within a minute, making the scoreline 4-1 in the 48th minute.
Jolted by two quick goals, GB conceded yet another penalty corner which was converted by Steensma to end the match with a massive 5-1 win.
GB Women will next be seen in action at the FIH Olympic Qualifiers 2024 in Spain set to take place between 13-21 January 2024.
GB Men conceded a goal in the final minute of the match as they lost 1-2 against Netherlands in the last match of the mini-tournament.
Terrance Pieters (42′) broke the deadlock, while Joep Troost (60′) scored the winner for the Dutch. Sam Ward (47′) scored the only goal for GB.
GB Men got off the blocks swiftly and took the first shot at goal through Nick Bandurak whose powerful flick was saved by the Dutch goalie and Jack Waller was off target on the rebound.
The reigning Euro champions earned their first penalty corner of the match in the 8th minute but missed out on converting it. They almost had a penalty stroke in the last minute of the opening quarter, but the decision was overturned on a video referral.
The start of the second quarter saw end-to-end action, both teams tried to create spaces, but couldn’t find an opening. GB were rewarded with two penalty corners in the 22nd and 30th minutes respectively, but couldn’t capitalise on it, ending the quarter at a 0-0 stalemate.
The third quarter saw some breathless action. Nick Bandurak took one more shot at goal at the start of the quarter, but Dutch went on to dominate the possession as they had as many as four penalty corners between the 36th and 38th minute, but couldn’t make much out of it.
GB had a penalty corner in the 40th minute, but couldn’t convert it, while the Dutch finally succeeded in converting their penalty corner in the 42nd minute. It was Pieters, who deflected Janssen’s drag-flick into the net to draw the first blood for the Dutch.
GB had an opportunity to equalise in the last minute of the third quarter but missed out converting yet another penalty corner. However, they did manage to equalise at the start of the final quarter through Ward’s field goal from the far post.
In the same minute, the Dutch also had a penalty corner but failed to convert it. They were then 10 players down as Floris Middendorp was shown a yellow card. GB almost doubled the lead, but the Dutch goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant save, prompting a quick counterattack that resulted in the defending champions scoring the last-gasp winner through Troost’s fiery tomahawk.
GB Women will next be seen in action at the FIH Olympic Qualifiers 2024 in Oman set to take place between 15-21 January 2024.
