Dutch men claim thriller to secure a FIH Hockey Pro League double, India relegated to fourth position
The Netherlands could not have asked for more. They are once again the FIH Pro League champions, both in men and women sections. And the prestigious men’s team title triumph came at Antwerp on Tuesday where the Dutch overcame their traditional rivals and neighbours Belgium in a thriller, winning 4-2, for their 10th game in 16 matches.
The Netherlands have completed a rare double in the FIH Pro League.
Though Belgium also had 10 wins in 16 matches, it ended third with 30 points, same as India, as the second spot went to Great Britain with 32 points. Both India and Great Britain had 8 wins each but the Britons drew more games – five – than India – three to take the second spot.
Tomorrow Germany and Spain will play the final game of the 2022-2023 edition only to decide fifth and sixth spot as the first four positions already stand decided with the Netherlands as champions, Great Britain at number two, Belgium at number three and India taking the fourth spot.
Having kicked off in October last year, the men’s 2022-23 FIH Hockey Pro League season came down to one final thrilling title decider between Belgium and the Netherlands in Antwerp. And it was the Dutch defending champions who clinched a rousing 4-2 victory to lift the trophy again. The victory saw the Netherlands finishing the season top of the table on 35 points.
Meanwhile, earlier in the evening, it was another fiercely contested encounter between the Belgian and Dutch women’s sides. But it was the already-crowned FIH Hockey Pro League champions, the Netherlands, who prevailed 2-1. That saw them wrapping up their campaign on an impressive 46 points after 15 victories, and just the one shoot-out loss to Australia. The Belgians have one game remaining, against the USA on Wednesday. A victory there will see them leapfrogging Germany into fourth place.
Both on-field umpires in the second match wore black armbands as a mark of respect for Scottish Performance Programme Manager Derek Forsyth, who after a short illness, sadly passed away last week.
In the women’s game, just like in their previous encounter three days ago, a hard-fought first half didn’t yield any goals. Both sides looked dangerous on the counterattack and both created numerous opportunities. But it wasn’t until the third quarter that the breakthrough came – and it was the home side that took the lead. An excellent solo attack from Delphine Marien saw her outrunning the Dutch defence and firing the ball into goal.
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