Sports: Red Sticks wrap up season in fifth spot, USA eves bows out of FIH Pro League
Curtains were rung down on the FIH Pro League, both for men and women, at the conclusion of the mini tournament at Antwerp in Belgium on Wednesday.
While Red Sticks had the consolation of ending the men’s event on a winning note defeating the defending World Cup champions Germany in their last encounter, US women were disappointed as they could not log the minimum points to avoid relegation.
Spain had to come from behind three times to finally get the better of an ambitious young German side as the curtain came down on the FIH Hockey Pro League season in Antwerp. The Red Sticks eventually prevailed to claim a 4-3 victory and finish the season in fifth spot on 27 points while Germany ended on 22 and in sixth position.
Later in the evening, Belgium’s women wrapped up their season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the USA. The result meant the Americans couldn’t lift themselves off the bottom of the table and have been relegated after just one win this season.
Just like their match three days ago, it was once again a very young German side that took to the pitch to take on the Spanish, a total of just 28 caps between them. Within the first minute, however, Germany earned a penalty corner and Paul Glander drilled it past the keeper’s left for his first senior international goal.
Midway through the opening quarter, the players were forced to take cover from a passing thunderstorm but were soon back in action. Spain found the equaliser in the second period, Pau Cunill dragging it in off a penalty corner. With just a few seconds remaining in the half, somewhat against the run of play after absorbing plenty of pressure at the other end, Germany were back in front. Leon Lindemann’s initial shot was saved but fell straight to Florian Sperling to swat it in.
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