s2h Team
The FIH Pro League men’s top-of-the-table clash between Belgium and the Netherlands produced the humdinger it promised.
A repeat of the 2018 World Cup final ended in the same result – a shootout win for the Red Lions but it deferred from the encounter in Bhubaneswar in that there were as many as eight goals at the Royal Uccle Sports Complex in Brussels on Wednesday in normal play as opposed to none two years ago.
After the teams were locked 4-4, Belgium proved to be better by far in the tiebreaker, winning 3-1 with the bonus point to boost their tally to 26 from 11 games.
The Dutch continue to be second with 18 points but from two matches fewer.
The second match, in a one-off departure from the double-header format, is slated for May 30 next year in Belgium as per an agreement by all stakeholders in view of the Covid pandemic.
Belgium, also the European champions, took the lead in the eighth minute through Alexander Hendrickx’s customary drag flick which he executed to the goalkeeper’s right after feigning to go the other way.
But the Oranje equalized within the minute – something they did three times in the match – when Jeroen Hertzberger deflected into goal from Jelle Galema’s pass.
It was 2-1 for the visitors when Thierry Brinkman, son of the Dutch icon Jacques, showed quick reflexes to slam home a rebound off Loic van Doren’s pads after Billy Barker made the initial hit into the D in the 13th minute.
The Red Lions equalised six minutes into the third quarter when Maxime Plennevaux scored with an overhead smash from a penalty corner in the 36th minute, the goal being awarded after an unsuccessful Dutch referral.
There was no denying the Dutch the lead in the 37th minute when Jip Janssen drag-flicked at a penalty corner to the goalkeeper’s right but it was all square again when player-of-the-match Van Aubel scored with a backhander to the far corner of the goal in the 50th minute.
Belgium made it 4-3, courtesy another drag-flick special by Hendrickx the next minute.
Then Bakker struck to make it 4-4 in the 52nd minute, dispatching the ball between Van Doren’s pads to take the match to the shootout where the Red Lions goalkeeper had the last laugh, conceding just once while thwarting the opposition three times.
Earlier in the day, the Netherlands women consolidated their lead at the top of the standings with a 4-0 victory over Belgium.
The reigning World, European and FIH Hockey Pro League title holders shot ahead three minutes from halftime when Lidewij Welten scored.
Frederique Matla, Lauren Stam and Margot van Geffen struck in the third quarter to take home three points.
The Oranje are now six points clear of nearest rivals Argentina, both teams having played eight matches each.
FACTFILE
FIH Hockey Pro League
Wednesday 4 November 2020 – Brussels (BEL)
Women’s result: Belgium 0, Netherlands 4
Player of the Match: Margot van Geffen (NED)
Umpires: Celine Martin-Schmets (BEL), Jonas van ‘t Hek (NED) and Laurine Delforge (BEL – video)
Men’s result: Belgium 4, Netherlands 4 [3-1 after shoot-out]
Player of the Match: Florent Van Aubel (BEL)
Umpires: Coen van Bunge (NED), Laurine Delforge (BEL) and Jonas van ‘t Hek (NED – video)