Day two of the brand new FIH Hockey Professional League season noticed hosts China claiming their first most factors of the match in Hangzhou after coming from behind in an action-packed match to beat England’s ladies.
Over in Amsterdam, there was one other nerve-racking end for the Dutch males who performed out to second consecutive 1-1 draw – this time with neighbours Belgium – however then once more claimed the additional level with victory within the ensuing shootout.
(Girls’s) China 2 – 1 England
Hosts China fought again from a purpose all the way down to pip England 2-1 in an enthralling encounter. England had the higher of a gap quarter that performed out like a highlights package deal with quick, end-to-end hockey and loads of photographs from each groups. Debutant Becky Manton had the right begin to her worldwide profession, needing simply 30 seconds to fireplace England forward with a discipline purpose. Megan Crowson then struck her shot broad within the fourth minute earlier than China had their first alternative a minute later, a tough cross discovering Dan Wen who fired her shot on course for Miriam Pritchard to save lots of.
Darcy Bourne received one other shot on course for England within the seventh minute, however Liu Ping made the primary of her match-winning saves. Zhang Wen equalised for China within the ninth minute, cleansing up the scraps in entrance of the goalkeeper. Ping then made one other essential save after Becky Manton dispossessed the Chinese language defence simply outdoors the circle and received a clear shot away.
China wrested management away from the English within the second quarter, dominating possession all through and probing the English circle repeatedly with direct ball in, however the English defence held agency underneath stress. The English seemed vibrant on their uncommon assaults and Manton practically grabbed a purpose because the half got here to an finish.
China continued to dominate play within the third quarter, incomes their first penalty nook within the 31st minute solely to be denied by a superb double save from Pritchard. England have been battling their shops from defence and turned over an amazing quantity of possession in midfield, and the stress informed as Yu Anhui restored China’s lead within the 59th minute with an distinctive penalty nook deflection on the proper put up.
England raised their depth within the remaining quarter as China began to fade, creating alternatives and half possibilities at common intervals. The perfect possibilities fell to Manton for a ferocious reverse stick shot within the 55th minute, and Bourne within the remaining minute, however Ping was glorious in China’s purpose.
The Participant of the Match was awarded to goalkeeper Liu Ping of China who believes there’s nonetheless room for enchancment, saying: “We have to begin sharper. We began a bit bit too relaxed, they received a purpose, so we have now to begin sharper.”
(Males’s) Netherlands 1 – 1 Belgium (SO: 3 – 1)
The Netherlands performed out an exciting 1-1 draw with Belgium for a share of the factors earlier than occurring to clinch the shootout 3-1 for a bonus level.
The Dutch adopted a direct aerial attacking sport whereas the Belgians have been affected person and loved lengthy durations of possession. It practically went fallacious for the Pink Lions within the eighth minute when Terrance Pieters intercepted a poor transition throughout the again, however the defence scrambled nicely to recuperate. Quickly after, Tom Boon popped a cheeky shot over the Dutch keeper, however it floated inches previous the purpose, and Floris Wortelboer flashed one broad for the Dutch. Thibeau Stockbroekx then put his shot broad within the 14th minute, however he was on course seconds later, poaching the opening purpose for the guests from free ball close to the precise put up.
The second quarter was a lot tighter from each groups with few alternatives. The Dutch have been denied by Loic van Doren after a fast breakout, however they equalised with a purpose of the best high quality within the 25th minute. Bijen dived to deflect a move throughout the keeper for his captain Thijs van Dam to faucet in on the left put up.
Belgium began the second half nicely, forcing a superb save from Derk Meijer and having a Boon deflection shave the upright. Additionally they had a flurry of possibilities to clinch the match within the 56th minute, Boggard firing broad and Roman Duvekot placing the crossbar, whereas Antoine Kina had a shot saved shortly thereafter. The Dutch had a penalty nook to doubtlessly steal the win within the remaining minute, however Jip Janssen relatively uncharacteristically miscued his drag flick, sending the match to a shootout the place the hosts prevailed in entrance of a thrilled dwelling crowd.
The Netherlands’ Koen Bijen was named Participant of the Match and mentioned: “I feel Belgium was higher right this moment. We missed a bit the eagerness and emotion and the proudness to play for the nation – we did it higher however we have now to enhance in lots of issues.”
Present Hero High Scorers:
Girls – Xu Wenyu (CHN), Zou Meirong (CHN), Zhang Wen (CHN), Yu Anhui (CHN), Michelle Struijk (BEL), Justine Rasir (BEL), Becky Manton (ENG) (1 purpose)
Males – Thierry Brinkman (NED), Thijs van Dam (NED), Raphael Hartkopf (GER), Thibeau Stockbroekx (BEL) (1 purpose)
To see the present standings within the FIH Hockey Professional League, click on right here.
FIH Hockey Professional League – 1 December 2024
Gongshu Canal Sports activities Park Hockey Stadium, Hangzhou (CHN)
WOMEN
Consequence: Match Consequence: Match 2 (W)
China 2 – 1 England
Participant of the match: Liu Ping (CHN)
Umpires: Deepak Joshi (IND), Rama Potnis (IND), Lim Hong-Zhen (SGP-video)
Wagener Stadion, Amsterdam (NED)
MEN
Consequence: Match 2 (M)
Netherlands 1 – 1 Belgium (SO: 3 – 1)
Participant of the match: Koen Bijen (NED)
Umpires: Sean Edwards (ENG), Gemma Calderon (ESP), Rebecca Edwards (ENG-video)
