The Estadio Betero in Valencia provided the perfect conditions for two FIH Hockey Pro League matches featuring the host nation Spain as they took on the challenge of FIH Hockey Pro League newcomers England men and the mighty force of the Netherlands women in the first of two matches in the respective men’s and women’s leagues to be hosted in the Spanish city.
Valencia proved a fruitful hunting ground for the visiting sides as first England men showed pace and imagination to outperform their Spanish rivals and then the Netherlands women wore down a spirited Spanish team to win 1-0. The three points allowed the Dutch women, now under the leadership of Jami Mülders, to regain their position at the top of the FIH Hockey Pro League table.
England men began their first foray into the FIH Hockey Pro League with a display of aggressive, attacking hockey as they beat host nation Spain 6-1.
Player of the match David Condon spoke of the ‘aggressive and open style of play’, that his team showed for the majority of this match.
On paper these are two very closely-matched teams. In nine previous encounters, the results showed three wins apiece, with three draws. This match was a very different affair as England showed a clinical finish that Max Caldas’s team lacked.
The first quarter was goalless as the two teams tested each other out, but then one of six debutants in an England shirt – Duncan Scott – opened the scoring with a finely taken penalty corner.
David Condon doubled the score in the latter stages of the quarter and then two goals in the third quarter from captain Zach Wallace and James Oats put the game effectively out of Spain’s reach.
Condon scored a fifth and then a lovely interchange between Wallace and the experienced Phil Roper created an opportunity for David Goodchild to fire home.
Spain scored a consolation goal through Ignacio Rodriguez, but the Red Sticks were unable to repeat some of their earlier Pro League recoveries.
Speaking after the game David Condon said: ‘We haven’t been together that long as a squad but in some ways that allowed us to play with freedom. We set out to play aggressive hockey and that was what we did.’
In the women’s match between Spain and the Netherlands, a single goal from the reliable goal machine Frederique Matla was the difference between the two sides.
While Anne Veenendaal in the Dutch goal didn’t have to make a save, this was far from a walk over by the reigning FIH Hockey Pro League, World Cup and Olympic champions.
A combination of a hard-working defence and a well-structured midfield saw Spain keep the Dutch at bay for large parts of the game. This was also a Netherlands team that didn’t seem to hit top gear for much of the match.
Both sides fielded a number of inexperienced players and Player of the Match Maria Verschoor referred to the fact the players were still getting to know each other, which would explain the breakdown of many attacking moves that would usually end in a Dutch barrage against an opposition’s goal.
The winning goal, scored in the third quarter, was a case of Matla showing her forward’s instincts. The ball bounced clear and Matla struck it goal wards. Clara Ycart, who had played a strong game in defence was unfortunate to turn it past Melanie Garcia in the Spanish goal.
Speaking after the game, Player of the Match Maria Verschoor, who had played an intelligent and understated role at the heart of the Dutch midfield, said: 'I am really happy to be on the pitch with the team. We needed to get used to each other. It was a good match to get started with
FIH Hockey Pro League: Results
Friday 4 February 2022 - Valencia (ESP)
Men’s match
Spain 1-6 England
Player of the Match: David Condon (ENG)
Umpires: Michelle Meister (GER), Bruce Bale (ENG) and Ivona Makar (CRO - video umpire)
Women’s match
Spain 0-1 Netherlands
Player of the Match: Maria Verschoor (NED)
Umpires: Ivona Makar (CRO), Bruce Bale (ENG) and Michelle Meister (GER - video umpire)
Match schedule for Saturday 5 February:
Estadio Betero, Valencia (all times CET)
13:00: Spain v England (men)
16:30 Spain v Netherlands (women)
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