Maartje Paumen scored two goals, while Kelly Jonker and Carlien Dirkse van de Heuvel added one each to give the current Olympic Champions a comfortable win against Australia. In the Bronze Medal Match, Germany powered past South Africa 6-2, while Great Britain scored three without conceding one against Ireland in the 5th place play-off.
Gold Medal Match Netherlands 4-1 Australia
Decisive finishing was the difference between the Netherlands and Australia in the final of the Investec London Cup as the Dutch converted their chances for a 4-1 victory. Maartje Paumen and Kelly Jonker both got on the score sheet to leave them joint top goal scorers for the competition.
Both sides looked to start the game strongly and this was reflected in the end to end rhythm of play. Australia had the best of the chances during the opening exchanges but were unable to find the back of the net. Hope Munro fired in a shot like a bullet, evading goalkeeper Floortje Engels but hitting the upright and skirting away from the danger area. Dutch striker Caia van Maasakker won the ball against the run of play and drove to the by-line before picking out Carlien Dirkse van de Heuvel who made no mistake to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead with seven minutes of the half remaining. A trademark Paumen drag flick doubled the lead early in the second period while two minutes later, Kelly Jonker squeezed in at the near post to make it 3-0.
Australia’s Hockeyroos never accept they are beaten though so it was no surprise when they pulled one back through Georgia Nanscawen. A late comeback wasn’t on the cards this time howeve, as the Dutch got their fourth goal, another Paumen drag flick putting the result beyond doubt.
After the match, Australia coach Adam Commens said he felt that the error count by his side was too high: “We had enough chances to score goals but we were just not clinical enough”.
Bronze Medal Match - Germany 6-2 South Africa
The Investec London Cup bronze medal match saw an eight goal thriller as South Africa took on Germany. Earlier in the week Germany had edged past the world number seven side 1-0, however, it was not as tight on Sunday as they netted six goals against South Africa to take the bronze medal.
An even first half saw Germany take the lead through the irrepressible Natascha Keller with a ninth minute penalty corner but South Africa's Dirkie Chamberlain levelled two minutes later to a huge cheer from the crowd.
Midway through the half, Germany re-took the lead through Kristina Hillmann, and that is how it stayed until five minutes into the second period when the tide turned in the Germans' favour. Julia Müller's penalty corner made it 3-1 before Janine Beermann, a scorer against Great Britain on Thursday, made it 4-1. Beermann doubled her tally with 12 minutes remaining before Katharina Otte struck Germany's sixth eight minutes from time. Pietie Coetzee still found time to net a consolation goal, her 241st international goal, but the match was long gone, Germany running out 6-2 winners.
Speaking after the game, Germany’s head coach Michael Behrmann said, “I’m really proud and happy in a decisive match. We were effective with our scoring today.”
5th/6th Place Playoff - Great Britain 3-0 Ireland
Great Britain’s women rounded off their Investec London Cup campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory in front of a spirited home crowd in Chiswick. Two first half goals from Leicester’s Hannah Macleod, who turned 28 on Saturday, set GB on their way and Reading’s Emily Maguire added a third from a penalty corner in the second half to seal the win in Great Britain’s final competitive fixture before the London 2012 Olympic Games.
It was the Irish who started the brightest with Emma Clarke forcing the first save of the game from Beth Storry in Britain's goal, but after her initial effort play evened out. Great Britain enjoyed success coming in off the right while Leicester’s Macleod was lively in attack. This route supplied the breakthrough in the 11th minute as Macleod slid in for the opening goal. She was in the right place at the right time for her second of the match minutes later. While Ireland finished the half the stronger side they could not find the decisive touch. The second half saw fewer chances although Great Britain enjoyed the bulk of possession. A penalty corner strike by Emily Maguire provided the solitary goal of the half although Ireland goalkeeper Pamela Smithwick was called upon to make a series of quality saves.
Afterwards, Great Britain Head Coach Danny Kerry admitted his side could have won by more: “To be frank I’m disappointed today. Our skill execution was poor and we really should have put them to the sword. Yes we’re missing a few influential players but it should have been a cricket score."
Source: Great Britain Hockey Release
