Tied at 1-1 through three quarters, the Netherlands’ women ran away with the win over Germany after notching three goals in the final frame.

The England men put on a penalty corner masterclass against Ireland, converting on 7 of their 13 chances. Player of the Match Sam Ward tallied four goals as England wrapped up their time in Argentina on a high note.

(Women’s) Netherlands 4 – 1 Germany

It was nearly all Netherlands possession for the first frame, with the Oranje winning the first penalty corner just over 3 minutes in. Finja Starck was steady in cage for Germany, stopping several shots including two penalty corner flicks from Yibbi Jansen. Despite the Netherlands’ chances, the first 15 minutes ended without a score.

Germany’s first shot was a deflected ball, calling the Netherlands’ Josine Koning into action 2 minutes into the second quarter. Back in the opposite circle, Jansen was again unable to get one by Starck, who blocked her third penalty corner. The next set piece try for the Netherlands was successful, as a drag flick from Frédérique Matla was tipped in by a Germany defender in the 21st minute.

The Netherlands conceded their first penalty corner with 5 minutes left in the second, and Stine Kurz took advantage – nailing the drag flick and tying the match at 1-1. The score would remain the same at the half, despite three consecutive penalty corners for the Oranje in the remaining 30 seconds.

Both team’s defenses set a high standard in the third, forcing more of the play into the midfield and leaving each team fruitless in their scoring efforts. The tied game broke open for the Netherlands in the fourth quarter, starting with a goal from Jansen as she finally got a penalty corner flick past Starck. A 10-minute yellow card to Germany’s Sophia Schawbe gave the Netherlands a player advantage, and at minute 53 Freeke Moes made it 3-1 with a reverse chip, assisted by Luna Fokke. Freeke Moes sealed the victory with a run down the left that ended with a chip shot into the goal.

To note, Netherlands midfielder Laura Nunnink earned her 200th cap.

The Netherlands’ Freeke Moes was named the Player of the Match and said: “I think in the first half we played really well, we had a lot of pressure, I think we had a lot of opportunities but the goal just wouldn’t go in so that’s a bit frustrating. But in the end because we kept calm it was a good win.”

(Men’s) Ireland 0 - 8 England

In contrast to their last match-up that saw Ireland take a 2-0 lead, England enjoyed a three goal first quarter, courtesy of three different penalty corner strikers. The first came just over five minutes from Sam Hooper, and Stuart Rushmere doubled the lead a minute later. Sam Ward notched the next in the final play of the first quarter, putting England up 3-0.

It was just 40 seconds into the second quarter that Hooper notched his second of the night and the fourth goal for England. Ireland would trail 4-0 after the first half, losing a bit of structure as they worked to deal with a clinical England attack.

England continued to dominate in the second half, picking up a 5-0 lead with yet another penalty conversion, and the second for Ward. England’s good fortune on set pieces continued when Ward notched a hat trick with one minute left in the third. It would be one more blow to Ireland in the final seconds when Rohan Bhuhi picked off a pass out of the backfield, made a move on the goalkeeper, and put England up 7-0.

Ward converted another set piece in minute 48. A final push by Ireland in the last 5 minutes resulted in two penalty corner chances, but they were both shut down by James Mazarelo in goal.

England’s Sam Ward was named the Player of the Match and said: “It’s been actually quite an interesting trip, we’ve obviously got a new group, we’ve got many people flicking well and actually by having more flickers flicking well it creates many threats and it makes everyone’s life easier. I think that’s the difference – with so many threats, we’re really looking strong at the moment.”

Current Hero Top Scorers:

Women – Yibbi Jansen (NED) (4 goals)

Men – Tom Boon (BEL), Sam Ward (8 goals)

To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.

FIH Hockey Pro League – 14 December 2024

Santiago del Estero Hockey Club, Santiago del Estero (ARG)

WOMEN

Result Match 11 (W): Netherlands 4 – 1 Germany

Player of the match: Freeke Moes (NED)

Umpires: Pauline Cuypers (BEL), Victoria Pazos (PAR), Benjamin Peters (USA) (video)

MEN

Result Match 11 (M): Ireland 0 – 8 England

Player of the match: Jack Waller (ENG)

Umpires: Sean Rapaport (RSA), Tyler Klenk (CAN), Benjamin Peters (USA) (video)

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