It was bright skies in Valencia for England men and that wasn’t just the weather. The FIH Hockey Pro League newcomers recorded a second win over Spain, despite the home side playing a much more structured and attacking game.
In the women’s match, the Netherlands were rocked as Spain refused to back down from the on-pitch battle and forced a draw. The subsequent shoot-out success means Netherlands leave Valencia with five points but Spain will be happy with their performances over the two days.
In the opening encounter between Spain and England men, a match-winning goal in the dying seconds of the game topped off a good weekend for England interim Head Coach Zak Jones and his new look England team.
The England team, which included six debutants, took all six points in their first appearance in the FIH Hockey Pro League. Several of the England players will have played in the Pro league for Great Britain, but this is the first time England has lined up to compete.
In the first match, Spain didn’t really get out of bottom gear and England cruised to a 6-1 win. Spain’s Head Coach Max Caldas will have been relieved at the significant levels of improvement in the second game – if not pleased with the scoreline, a 3-2 loss.
Spain men took to the pitch determined to put in an improved performance on the previous day, where they had suffered a 6-1 loss at the hands of an energetic England team.
Certainly, the opening exchanges reflected this determination and England will count themselves lucky not to be facing a goal deficit in the first quarter as Spain ran through the midfield to create multiple chances.
Despite the chances created by Spain, it was England who drew the first blood. Nick Bandurak was on hand to tap a rebound home to register his first international goal. Spain looked certain to equalise through a penalty corner strike but a fine mid-air save by Tom Sorsby kept the ball from the net.
It was inevitable that the pressure exerted by Spain would pay off. It was from the stick of another player making his Pro League debut this weekend, Alejandro Sanz.
This meant the scores were level at half-time and both coaches were relatively happy, with Jones asking for his players to place greater value on possession and Caldas asking his players to capitalise on chances.
It was England who took the lead again, with Duncan Scott continuing his great start to his international career and following up on his goal from the previous day.
Into the final quarter and a rocket of a goal from Xavier Gispert, scored with a back-hand shot that whipped past Oliver Payne, brought the scores level again.
The match seemed destined to go to shoot-out when a last minute goal from David Goodchild on his second appearance for England meant his team would leave Valencia with six points.
Speaking after the game, Player of the Match David Ames said: ‘It was really nice to win, it finishes our weekend nicely. Delighted fr while squad but particularly the new caps.
'We played exceptionally well yesterday, today we were a bit scrappy but we played right to the end.’
In the women’s match, Spain put in an energetic and spirited performance to craft a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands.
For the opening 15 minutes it appeared that the Netherlands were going to hit a gear that they hadn’t managed in the previous day’s play. Yibbi Jansen showed her ability from the top of the circle with a magnificent drag flick to give the World Cup, Olympic and FIH Hockey Pro League champions the lead. However, Patricia Alvarez put Spain back on even terms when she pounced on a rebound from a penalty corner.
Jansen struck again just before half time to give the Netherlands a 2-1 lead but just six minutes into the second half, a rocket from Gine Xantal from a Spain penalty corner brought Adrian Lock’s team right back into the game.
The final quarter saw the Spanish team defend with passion and the Dutch were just unable to find a way through the red shirts.
The game went to shoot-out, where the Netherlands prevailed 3-2. For Head Coach Adrian Lock, there would have been an awful lot to like about his team’s performance in both these matches on their FIH Hockey Pro League debut weekend.
Speaking after the match, double goalscorer and Player of the Match Yibbi Jansen said: 'We started very well but in the third quarter we had a dip and we had to defend. But we were happy we won the shoot-out. It is an honour to win the award and we had two good games.'
FIH Hockey Pro League
Saturday 5 February 2022 - Valencia (ESP)
Men’s match
Spain 2-3 England
Player of the Match: David Ames (ENG)
Umpires: Bruce Bale (ENG), Ivona Makar (CRO) Michelle Meister (GER- video umpire)
Women’s match
Spain 2-2 Netherlands (Netherlands won shoot-out 3-2)
Player of the Match: Yibbi Jansen (NED)
Umpires: Bruce Bale (ENG), Michelle Meister (GER) Ivona Makar (CRO - video umpire)
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Next FIH Hockey Pro League matches:
On Tuesday 8 February, the action switches to the African continent for the first time as the next FIH Hockey Pro League matches will take place in Potchefstroom, South Africa on with two further newcomers to the competition making their debut performances. In the opening match France men take on India, followed by South Africa men versus the Netherlands.
On Wednesday 9 February, South Africa men will face India, and France men will take on the Netherlands.
