s2h Team
The Netherlands scored a 1-0 win over Great Britain in an FIH Pro League men’s match at the Wagener stadium in Amstelveen on Tuesday. In a women’s match between the two nations played earlier on the same pitch, the Dutch grabbed an extra point from the shootout after normal time produced a 1-1 draw.
The all-important goal came from a reverse hit from the right of the circle by Floris Wortelboer with just six seconds left for halftime – his first international goal in his 53rd match. The Netherlands are at third spot the league standings having collected 14 points from seven outings. Great Britain are at the bottom with five from five.
Both teams broke their seven-month hiatus induced by measures to fight the Covid-19 pandemic and the joy of playing an international match was clearly written on the faces of the players when they took the pitch.
The hosts dominated the first half and deserved the lead at halftime, although they left it late.
For all the Dutch first-half domination, Great Britain were kept at bay by goalkeeper Pirmin Blaak, who made a series of splendid saves which brought him the Player of the Match award.
Britain came back strongly in the second half in an attempt to equalize and exerted sustained pressure on the Dutch goal in the dying minutes but the home side’s defence stood firm.
In the women’s match, Netherlands, the World Cup champions, shot ahead in the second minute when Pien Dicke scored her first international goal. However, the Olympic champions equalised in the 43rd minute when Jo Hunter tapped home from close range.
Anne Veenendaal in the Dutch goal, however, sealed a bonus point for the home team with an excellent performance in the shootout during which she was beaten just once.
The Netherlands are now level on 17 points with table toppers Argentina but have two matches in hand. Great Britain are sixth with six from five.
The encounters took place behind closed doors with strict COVID-19 protocols being followed by the teams, staff, officials and everyone within the venue.
On Thursday the Netherlands and Great Britain men and women play their second matches of these double-headers at the same venue.
FIH Hockey Pro League
Tuesday 27 October 2020 – Amstelveen (NED)
Women’s result: Netherlands 1, Great Britain 1 [3-1 After Shoot-Out] (Match 1 of 2)
Player of the Match: Margot van Geffen (NED)
Umpires: Jonas van t’ Hek (NED), Celine Martin Schmets (BEL) and Laurine Delforge (BEL – video)
Men’s result: Netherlands 1, Great Britain 0 (Match 1 of 2)
Player of the Match: Pirmin Blaak (NED – GK)
Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Coen van Bunge (NED) and Jonas van t’ Hek (NED – video)