It is more than an hour before the match against India when Joep de Mol reports to the entrance of the field in his Orange outfit. The defender takes plenty of time to take a picture with the many fans or hand out a doodle, while the Orange Ladies beat China within the white lines. Those teams are barely ready when De Mol enters the field in Eindhoven as the first of the Orange selection with his stick under his arm.
“Call the youthful enthusiasm and eagerness of a 27-year-old that I was first,” laughs the 116-time international when he leaves the field more than two hours later with a 3-2 win over India . His eagerness, as it turns out during the conversation, has a twofold reason.
The fact that the Dutch teams are playing their first block in a jam-packed Pro League program at his Oranje-Rood these days is one of them. The defender has been in the main force of the Brabant merger club for nine years, for the first time he plays at his club in the Orange shirt. “I’m really proud to be here. I would like to take the opportunity to give a big compliment to all those volunteers who made this possible. This is beautiful. I almost don’t recognize my own club.’
Great atmosphere
De Mol looks around proudly once more. The atmosphere at the sports park on Charles Roelslaan is great on this tropical Saturday. Although the temperature passes more than thirty degrees in the Eindhoven baking oven, not a word of displeasure is spoken. Parents with children, dancing, singing, eating and drinking. Brabant hospitality reigns supreme here.

Fun in the stands in Eindhoven. Photo: William Vernes
It is logical that De Mol is eager to show all his fans what he can. But there is another reason, perhaps even a bigger one, why the defender is eager to play in the Orange shirt. For that we have to go back to November 9, 2022. The moment when national coach Jeroen Delmée announces to the world that De Mol has dropped out at the last minute for the World Cup selection, which will travel to India in January 2023.
“I’m going to make sure I don’t miss another big tournament.” Joe de Mol
A statement that cuts into De Mol. But also one that he has now given a place and converted into an enormous eagerness and clear mission: ‘I’m going to make sure that I don’t miss another big tournament.’ Its assertion leaves little room for discussion. The next major tournament is the European Championship, which will be played in Germany in August. This long Pro League series is the last moment to impress the national coach. ‘But I’m not working on that yet’, De Mol responds briefly. ‘I especially enjoyed the atmosphere at my club today.’
Dried off
That atmosphere was a lot less enthusiastic twenty hours earlier on the same field in Eindhoven. Not only because the stadium was less well filled, but mainly because of the disappointing performance of the Orange Men against Australia. What’s hot! The Orange was completely dried off by the Aussies. 2-7 was on the electronic scoreboard after an hour of play. De Mol: ‘It was a long time ago for me that I lost so big with the Orange. At the European Championship in 2017, we went 5-0 against Belgium in the group stage.’

De Mol in supreme concentration. Photo: William Vernes
Of course there were extenuating circumstances for the Orange. The players of the main suppliers Bloemendaal and Kampong get this first Pro League block rest. The places of the experienced internationals are taken by young, talented players, most of whom have less than five caps to their name. De Mol: ‘We joked that if Seve van Ass (210 international matches) had not participated, Eddy Ockenden alone would have had almost more caps than the rest together.’ A comparison that is not even very limping: the 35-year-old Australian played his 421st (!) international match on Friday evening.
That was one that the veteran looks back on with great pleasure, but not the Orange. De Mol: ‘We have been given a lesson in international hockey. That is decided in the circles. They came into our circle about seven times before the break and scored five times. That’s how fast it can go at the top. I have 116 international matches to my name, so I now know how international hockey is played. But I also learn every match.’
Curious moment
The Orange was clearly sharper in the circle against India on Saturday, although the Orange overran itself once again in the fourth quarter, with what appeared to be a ‘safe’ 3-1 lead. ‘We were again not in a good position in the turn-over’, De Mol analysed. India took advantage and scored the 3-2. That connection goal resulted in a nervous last quarter for the Orange, in which the victory was won with a lot of art and flying.
Although it almost went wrong in the final phase, after a curious moment twenty seconds before the end. De Mol wanted to take the ball out, but in the eyes of the arbitration, he lingered a bit too long. They whistled, while De Mol just took the ball. India requested a video and was awarded a penalty corner. De Mol is still amazed afterwards. ‘I’ve really never experienced this, while I’ve been playing hockey for many years. I have the impression that the referees got a bit carried away by the tension. Fortunately, it ended well.’

De Mol (left) laughs as his teammates hug each other after Hoedemakers’ goal. Photo: William Vernes
Because India’s corner was run out, as a result of which the Dutch won 3-2. “I think it’s great how we recovered with all those young players. It’s amazing how quickly they have adapted and how much energy they provide.’
After the victory over India, the Orange squad can prepare for the revenge against Australia on Monday. That is the last Pro League match in Eindhoven, after which the circus moves to Amsterdam, with a stopover in London. “It’s a lot of games. I assume I don’t play them all. But if the coach needs me, I’m there. I’m eager enough for it.’
After those words, De Mol rushes, with the man of the match cup, to the side where his fans have been begging for an autograph and photo for ages. Only an hour after the game, and as the last player, he dives into the catacombs.
by Hockey.nl