The Netherlands women came from a goal down to storm to a 7-1 win over USA, returning to the top of the FIH Pro League standings in style in front of a full house at HC Rotterdam.
The reigning world champions produced a devastating display of attacking hockey against their American opponents, cancelling out Taylor West’s surprise opener with strikes from Player of the Match Xan de Waard (2), Kyra Fortuin (2), Yibbi Jansen, Marloes Keetels and Caia van Maasakker.
The result moves the Dutch back into first position in the FIH Pro League table, pushing Argentina down into second just one day after Las Leonas had themselves taken top spot by beating New Zealand on Saturday evening in Rosario. The Netherlands have claimed 85.71 percent of the points available to them compared to Argentina’s 83.33 percent. The defeated Americans remain bottom of the standings with 12.5 percent. To see the current women’s FIH Pro League standings, click here.
Following their 5-0 away win in the reverse fixture at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, it came as little surprise that reigning world champions the Netherlands (FIH World Ranking: 1) were heavy favourites to record a comfortable win over USA (WR:12) and claim a sixth win in seven FIH Pro League matches.
However, while the Dutch were certainly on top in the early stages, the young American team - coached by one of the Oranje’s all-time greats in Janneke Schopman - stunned both their illustrious opponents and the sell-out crowd at H.C. Rotterdam when Taylor West put the visitors ahead with a close range finish in the sixth minute.
The USA held onto their lead for seven minutes before Xan de Waard burst into the circle and found the bottom left corner of Kelsey Bing’s goal, restoring parity at the end of the first quarter.
The world champions took the score to 3-1 in the second quarter, with Kyra Fortuin producing a cool turn and shot after being picked out by Yibbi Jansen before De Waard netted her second with what was unquestionably the goal of the game, unleashing an unstoppable backhand strike from the top of the circle that ricocheted off the left post before nestling in the back of the net.
The home fans were treated to some scintillating hockey from the world's top ranked team in third quarter, with Fortuin registering her second after a brilliant assist from Laurien Leurink before Yibbi Jansen and Marloes Keetels added their contributions to make it 6-1 going into the final quarter.
The scoring was completed by the ever-reliable Caia van Maasakker, who scored the 50th penalty corner goal, and 53rd in total, of her stellar international career.
Reflecting on the victory, Player of the Match Xan de Waard said: “It was an amazing atmosphere. Of course we got the 0-1 against, but I think it was their [USA’s] first circle entry so we were not that afraid of losing here. I guess we had faith that everything would be alright. Everyone was passing the ball and it was very fast. When we saw the first player free we passed it to them, which made the game very fast and [therefore] easier.”
The FIH Pro League goes on a brief 10-day hiatus, with the action resuming on Wednesday 24 April when Germany’s women host Great Britain in Mönchengladbach. To see the complete match schedule, click here.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on the FIH Pro League via the event website and through FIH social media channels - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
FIH Pro League
14 April - Rotterdam, Netherlands
Result: Women’s Match 34
Netherlands 7, USA 1
Player of the Match: Xan de Waard (NED)
Umpires: Carolina de la Fuente (ARG), Ayanna McClean (TTO) & Marcin Grochal (POL - Video)
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