Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: In Santiago del Estero, a fourth-quarter showdown allowed Argentina to draw level, 1-1, with Germany and go on to take the shootout, 3-1, for the added bonus point. Maico Casella provided the heroics in both cases, scoring a penalty stroke with 43 seconds in the game and the final shootout to seal the extra point. On the women’s side field goals from Maria Campoy and Eugenia Trinchinetti plus a flick from Agustina Gorzelany propelled the Leonas 3-1 over the visiting Germany Die Danas.Earlier in the day, the men’s mini-tournament in Bhubaneswar wrapped up with two contrasting contests – one a nine-goal thriller, and the other a tense encounter with just one goal in it.In the first match of the day, Australia’s men closed a three-goal deficit and then overtook the Dutch for a memorable 5-4 victory. In the other match, a brave performance from newcomers Ireland saw them keep out a determined Indian team until the last minute when Gurjant Singh’s solitary goal gave an elated home crowd plenty to celebrate. (Men’s) Australia beat Netherlands (5-4): Australia came from three goals down to edge the Netherlands 5-4 in an enthralling encounter. Early on it looked like Jip Janssen’s 100th and Koen Bijen’s 50th appearances for the Dutch would be memorable ones as they controlled the first half, taking their opportunities and frustrating the Australians. Duco Telgenkamp screamed in a reverse stick shot from an acute angle in the sixth minute, and Bijen got on the end of a knee-high cross to deflect home in the 12th. Australia then lost Daniel Beale for 10 minutes after an accidental stick to the head of Teun Beins was deemed dangerous, but they only conceded one goal during this period, Koen rounding off skilful team play with a simple tap-in after 20 minutes.The Kookaburras trailed 0-3 at half-time but staged another incredible comeback. Blake Glovers cleaned up the scraps off the goalkeeper’s pads in the 33rd minute after a patient build-up, and Jeremy Hayward’s 40th-minute drag flick gave Pirmin Blaak no chance of a save as it stripped the paint off the inside of the post. The fourth quarter was an electrifying affair, Hayward’s drag flick levelling the scores in the 48th minute before Glover put the Australians ahead with a rocketed drag flick in the 53rd minute. Jip Janssen then equalised for the Dutch three minutes later off a penalty stroke, but Tim Brand had the last word for the Kookaburras with a well-worked tap-in with less than 30 seconds remaining to wrap up an impressive victory.(Men’s) India beat Ireland (1-0): Hosts India’s experience made all the difference as they squeaked home in the last minute with a 1-0 win over Ireland. The Irish controlled the tempo for long periods of the match, holding possession well and declining to force their way up the pitch when safe passes were available. By contrast, India looked extremely dangerous going forward and had the best opportunities of the first half. Lee Cole made an excellent save off his feet on the left post from an early Indian penalty corner, and Jamie Carr was outstanding in goal to keep the scores locked at 0-0 at half-time.India seemed to be gaining the upper hand through the third quarter and a goal seemed inevitable, but Carr and the Irish defence kept them out. Ireland continued to frustrate India with their patience in possession, and Indian fans were made to sweat through a tense final quarter as both teams enjoyed real goal-scoring opportunities. India missed a golden chance from a penalty corner against just four defenders in the 51st minute, and Ireland broke out from that to win a penalty corner at the other end. (Men’s) Argentina beat Germany 1 - 1 (3 -1 SO): A goal with 43 seconds left in the game and a shootout finish from Maico Casella gave Argentina the bonus point after a 1-1 draw with Germany in Santiago del Estero. The first half was largely a showcase of a structured German team with an early chance for Niklas Wellen saved by keeper Tomas Santiago. Argentina’s patience on attack finally caught Germany on their heels and kept Alexander Stadler busy in goal. A Tomas Domene penalty corner flick was run down by a brave German defence line, while Casella had a drag flick fly just over the bar. A scoreless opening three quarters set the stage for a dramatic final frame that included open chances for both Lucas Martinez and Domene but both could only find the outside of the cage. A short-range aerial was expertly controlled by Raphael Hartkopf in the Argentine circle and blasted across the face of goal where Malte Hellwig brilliantly deflected in for a 1-0 Germany lead. In the final minute of the game, with 11 field players, the Leones were awarded a penalty stroke and Casella drew the game level. Nicolas Keenan and Mats Grambusch each scored for their sides, while a re-award for Lucas Toscani allowed Argentina to double their shootout lead. A miss from Johannes Große set up Casella to seal the deal. Casella made no mistake, calm and cool, to sweep the ball in on the reverse and take the bonus point and shootout, 3-1, for Argentina. (Women’s) Argentina beat Germany (3-1): Germany came out of the gate with early pressure as Charlotte Stapenhorst blasted a shot just wide of the Argentine goal. The Leonas responded later in the half with a clear take at goal through Maria Granatto but it was bravely blocked by a fully-stretched Selin Oruz. For Germany, Lisa Nolte was the beneficiary of a quick free hit but her reverse-stick blast was deflected over the Argentine net. Finally, the creative Argentine offense found a way, as a no-mercy-blast from Agustina Albertarrio found Maria Campoy at the back post for the game’s opener. From there, Argentina had a series of penalty corners but Nathalie Kubalski was up to the task to deny Valentina Raposo and Agustina Gorzelany. A second goal came on free play as Eugenia Trinchinetti had a nifty deflection on a bouncing free hit from Agostina Alonso. A trio of German penalty corners finally broke the Leonas as Nike Lorenz’s strike beat Clara Barberi to deny a shutout. Germany pressed for a second equaliser, pulling Kubalski with four minutes to go. Die Dans were then forced to defend a penalty corner with five field players and Gorzelany made no mistake burying a flick to make it 3-1.

Sports Bulletin ReportRourkela (India): Earlier in the day at the ongoing mini-tournament in the Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium, Rourkela, India, Australia’s women managed to get the better of China for the first time since the Tokyo Olympics and the Netherlands notched up yet another victory after a fiercely contested encounter with the tenacious Indian side.Hours later, in Santiago del Estero, the Argentina men came out with confidence to defeat a young Belgian team by 4-1 thanks to two goals from speedster Nicolas Keenan. Just after, a classy and clinical Argentina women’s side blasted five past the Belgium red panthers to close out the evening with a home sweep. Victoria Manuele scored the game’s opener and her first international goal as icing on the cake. The Leonas sported a black band in honour of the recent passing of former Argentina women’s player Gabriela Pando. Pando played for the Leonas from 1989 to 1998 and won a 1995 Pan American Games gold medal and 1992 Olympic silver medal. (Women’s) Australia beat China (2-0): Australia last beat China in an International match at the Olympic Games on 26 July 2021, but they broke their losing streak with a hard-fought 2-0 win on Wednesday. The Hockeyroos attacked throughout the first half and enjoyed significant advantage in territory and possession, while China trusted their defensive structures and relied on rapid counterattacks for their limited opportunities. Xinhuan Li had plenty of work to do in the Chinese goal, denying Grace Young from close range with an excellent save. Grace Stewart eventually broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, tapping in a recycled penalty corner at the right post for a 1-0 lead at half-time.The third quarter was hotly contested as China finally enjoyed some good possession, but they couldn’t find a goal against a resolute Australian defence. The Hockeyroos soaked up even more pressure in the fourth quarter, Jocelyn Bartrum shutting down a dangerous one-on-one at the top of the circle in the 47th minute and then making another save two minutes later. China gave it everything at the death and pulled off their keeper with six minutes to play, but the move backfired when Stephanie Kershaw found the net for Australia after 57 minutes to put the match beyond doubt.(Women’s) Netherlands beat India (1-0): The Netherlands made heavy weather of their 1-0 win over India who were playing in front of a passionate home crowd. The Dutch probed throughout the first half, but it took them 27 minutes to find a goal. They dispossessed India inside the 23-yard area and got a quick shot away for Felice Albers to use her lightning reflexes to bat in off her reverse stick from Savita’s save.India had a busy third quarter, making repeated circle entries and winning five penalty corners but they couldn’t beat the Netherlands defence. The Dutch had opportunities of their own in a frantic period towards the end of the quarter but couldn’t score, even with Savita yellow carded in bizarre circumstances. Her defence were caught high and she accidentally kicked the ball far outside her circle after stepping out to slap it to safety. Savita was back in action in the fourth quarter, making amends with a flurry of great saves from four penalty corners to keep India in touch, but while there was plenty of action at both ends there were no more goals scored.(Men’s) Argentina beat Belgium (2-0): An experienced home side made it tough waters for a young Belgium side in the opener of the Santiago del Estero hosted games. Argentina’s hypnotic movements of possession gave the Leones good control of the tempo and kept Belgium keeper Simon Vandenbroucke busy. Nicolas Keenan opened the scoring in the final seconds of the first quarter with a brilliant upright reverse blast after Tomas Habif delivered a brilliant ball through a chaotic circle. Red Lions forward Thomas Crols picked Nicolas della Torre’s pocket in the second quarter and had an uncontested shot at goal but the blast ricocheted between Tomas Santiago’s kickers and scooted wide of the net. Argentina continued to show their dominance in the second half, despite not finding the back of the net on a series of penalty corners. Maico Casella doubled the lead finishing at the back post with no pressure after some quick passing from Lucas Martinez and Santiago Tarazona to make it 2-0. Belgium did not let up though as gritty work from Roman Duvekot forced Argentina’s Juan Catan to make an errant touch on his way back to the circle and Thibeau Stockbroekx provided the effort for a Belgium goal. A contested aerial into the Belgian circle then forced a video referral on right of territory for Keenan versus an encroaching Vandenbrouke but no advice possible left Argentina with the originally called penalty corner. Della Torre rippled the mesh to make it 3-1 for the Leones. Keenan added a second for himself and fourth for Argentina late in the game for a final score of 4-1. (Women’s) Argentina beat Belgium (5-0): The Leonas put on a clinical performance, 5-0 over the visiting Belgian Red Panthers, to make it a sweep in Santiago del Estero following the men’s victory. A younger Belgian line up, including seven faces from the 2023 Junior World Cup silver medal winning team, showed good structure and poise but struggled to manage the experience and crafty individual skills of the dynamic Leonas. Victoria Manuele was the first to put Argentina on the board in just the third minute, finishing brilliantly on the backhand to mark her first international goal in just her fourth appearance. Patient possession just inside the Belgian half allowed Argentina the control to pick their moments. Just before halftime Maria Granatto did all the work to spin the Belgian defence and commit keeper Elena Sotgiu and ultimately allow Celina di Santo to redirect and make it 2-0 for the Leonas. The offensive firepower continued as Agustina Albertarrio put a back-hand blast in to make it 3-0, while Agustina Gorzelany’s drag flick at the end of the third quarter made it 4-0. With Carolien Jakus off with a green card, the Leonas put on a master class on a penalty corner. Gorzelany delivered to the back post for a Trinchinetti stunner as the deflection rippled the mesh for 5-0. Noa Schreurs’ one-timer from Louise Dewaet almost put Belgium on the board but the ball rang the outside of the Argentina post.

Sports Bulletin ReportBhubaneswar (India): The Netherlands ensured they returned to winning ways after a shoot-out loss to the hosts a couple of days ago as FIH Hockey Pro League action continued in Bhubaneswar, India on Tuesday.(Men’s) Australia beat Ireland (5-0): Michael Robson celebrated his 150th cap, but it wasn’t to be a fairytale result for the Irishman as Australia secured a comfortable 5-0 win. Ireland started with good energy and matched their opposition for circle entries through the opening quarter, but the Aussies gained the ascendancy as the match progressed. Tom Craig opened the scoring for the Kookaburras in the 17th minute, deflecting in from directly in front of the keeper. Jeremy Hayward added a well-placed drag flick in the 22nd minute, and Ky Willott got a stick in front of the Irish defenders for a deflection to round off a stunning team goal in the 25th minute. Australia were 3-0 ahead at half-time and looked threatening.The Kookaburras kept the pressure on through the second half, but it was only in the 43rd minute that Nathan Ephraums extended their lead even further, picking up an awkward aerial ball into the Irish circle and using the 5m rule to work himself into a position for a clean strike. The Irish then enjoyed a couple of good attacks but failed to find the back of the net before Ky Willot rounded off the scoring for Australia in the 57th minute, getting his body into a good position to complete a difficult deflection.(Men’s) Netherlands beat Spain (3-0): The Netherlands were comfortable 3-0 winners over Spain as Jip Janssen extended his lead at the top of the goal scorers list. Both teams created half-chances in the first quarter, but it was Janssen who opened the scoring for the Dutch in the 15th minute with an unstoppable low drag flick. The Red Sticks produced some excellent opportunities in a high-energy start to the second quarter, but the Netherlands absorbed that pressure and then hit back hard in the 26th minute, Floris Middendorp cutting the Spanish defence apart with brilliant individual skill to the baseline before slipping his pass back to Duco Telgenkamp for the tap-in.There were good opportunities at both ends through the third quarter, and Spain were gifted a numerical advantage when ill-discipline from the Dutch saw them reduced to nine men just as the quarter ended. The Spanish quickly gave up that advantage with a green card of their own, and when a professional foul in the 51st minute earned them a yellow card and gave the Dutch a penalty corner, it was Janssen who stepped up to put the game beyond doubt with another drag flick.

India beat Spain 4-1 while Netherlands defeat Ireland 4-1 in BhubaneswarSports Bulletin ReportBhubaneswar (India): The Netherlands men got the second mini-tournament of the FIH Hockey Pro League in Bhubaneswar, India off to a perfect start with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Ireland. In the second match of the day, a dominant second quarter saw home side India getting the better of the Red Sticks, beating the Spanish side 4-1.(Men’s) Netherlands beat Ireland (5-1): Floris Wortelboer celebrated his 100th cap for the Netherlands in a hard-fought 5-1 win over Ireland. The Dutch stamped their authority on the match early, pressing high and applying immense pressure on the Irish defence. Tjep Hoedemakers opened the scoring off a short corner variation in the 12th minute, deflecting a rocketed pass over the postman’s head from a metre wide of goal. Jorrit Croon made it two in the 21st minute, swatting in a rebound off Jamie Carr’s mask after Joep de Mol had opened up the defence with great acceleration along the baseline. Ireland had some good opportunities, but missed a penalty corner and then clattered one into the upright from open play to trail 2-0 at half-time.The third quarter served up plenty of action. Carr made two good saves for Ireland before Jip Janssen scored his 50th goal for the Netherlands from a penalty stroke in the 35th minute. Within a minute Lee Cole responded for Ireland with a penalty stroke from a foul that resulted in a Dutch player receiving a 10-minute yellow card. The Netherlands’ problems grew worse when they were reduced to nine men with a green card three minutes later. This prompted the Irish to press hard but they couldn’t convert from two penalty corners, Pirmin Blaak making an excellent save as the quarter came to an end. The Netherlands regained control in the final quarter, Janssen scoring his second from a drag flick after 52 minutes, and Steijn van Heijningen adding one off an unlucky defender a minute later.(Men’s) India beat Spain (4-1): India thrilled their home crowd with an excellent 4-1 win over Spain. The teams were equally matched in the opening quarter, India having a slight edge courtesy of a Harmanpreet Singh drag flick in the seventh minute and some excellent work in goal by Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh. The Indians turned up the heat in the second quarter, testing the excellent Luis Calzado in goal repeatedly and winning five penalty corners in just four minutes. Harmanpreet Singh slotted in a penalty stroke in the 20th minute after his drag flick struck the postman on the line, and Jugraj Singh added a drag flick in the 24th minute for a 3-0 Indian lead at half-time.Spain came back in the third quarter, a strong circle carry from Enrique Gonzales earning a penalty stroke for skipper Marc Miralles to bury in the 34th minute. They went on to dominate the quarter but were denied by an exceptional Indian defence. Spain needed something early in the final quarter and they went after it, but India hit them on the break in the 50th minute, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay lashing in a one-touch reverse shot off a pass that deflected to him in clear space.

Sports Bulletin ReportBhubaneswar (India): Defending champions the Netherlands delivered another commanding performance as FIH Hockey Pro League action continued in Bhubaneswar, India on Friday. The Dutch were all class as they romped to a 6-2 victory over Australia while later in the day, India gave their home fans plenty to cheer about with a hard-fought win over the United States.(Women’s) Netherlands beat Australia (6-2):The Netherlands took full control of proceedings in their 6-2 win over Australia. They asked plenty of questions of the Australian defence throughout the match, connecting with long diagonal through-balls, making textbook inter-passes between players, and displaying moments of individual brilliance that all resulted in regular circle entries. Marijn Veen opened the scoring for the Dutch after seven minutes with a deft two-touch goal, popping the ball up and then lofting it into the top left corner from the reverse stick. Frédérique Matla then extended the lead just two minutes later, getting in front of the defence to slap in after a devastating baseline run from Marleen Jochems, and Yibbi Jansen added a scorching drag flick off a penalty corner to put the Dutch three in front. Australia finished the half with a flurry of penalty corners, but it took a deflection off a first-wave runner for Tatum Stewart’s rocketed drag flick to beat Josine Koning in the Dutch goal, making it 3-1 at halftime.Jansen added her second drag flick after 39 minutes, taking her tournament tally to an impressive 11 goals. Veen then completed her hat-trick with two quick goals, the first as the Dutch intercepted a poor free hit at the top of the Australian circle in the 48th minute, and the second from a somewhat fortuitous deflection off a defender’s stick a minute later. Australia pulled one back in the 52nd minute, Stephanie Kershaw intercepting a loose Dutch overhead and driving 50 yards up-field before two quick passes found Grace Stewart for a tap-in, but that did little to dent the Netherlands’ emphatic winning margin.Marijn Veen of the Netherlands was awarded player of the match for her hat-trick as said: “We played really good as a team so I’m happy with the win. It’s always nice to score but I’m more happy with the team performance.”(Women’s) India beat USA (3-1):India delighted the home crowd with a 3-1 win in a fast-paced encounter against the USA. The Americans looked to attack through the first half, but they turned over possession through impatience and inaccuracy to give the Indians plenty of advantage. Vandana Katariya put India ahead off a failed USA clearance in the ninth minute, volleying the ball in after it popped above her head from a goalmouth scramble. Deepika extended India’s lead with a glorious team goal, collecting a pass in the circle at full stretch after a good build-up and then recovering well to fire home off her reverse stick.The USA fought back in the third quarter with Sanne Caarls pouncing in the 42nd minute when India failed to clear their circle. The fourth quarter was played at full throttle as the USA sought an equaliser and India tried to find a two-goal cushion. Deepika ultimately gave India the last word, carrying the ball some 60m, beating four defenders outside the circle and passing to Salima Tete for the tap-in at the right post and the 3-1 win.India’s Deepika picked up the player of the match award and said afterwards: “I think we played really good and the team is doing a really good effort. So it’s only about the team effort, and thank you to the supporters, it’s for you also.”

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): An emphatic 5-1 victory over Spain for Belgium’s men ensured the FIH Hockey Pro League title fight will go down to one last thrilling showdown in Antwerp. The win means their final clash of the season, against the Netherlands on Tuesday, will determine the destination of the trophy. Belgium need a win against the Dutch to claim it while even a shoot-out loss would be enough for the Netherlands to successfully defend their title. Meanwhile, the USA women have left themselves a seemingly impossible task to avoid relegation in their final match on Wednesday after going down 5-2 to Germany. The victory meant the Germans wrapped up their campaign on 29 points – currently in fourth place but with the possibility of still being overtaken by Belgium, who have two matches remaining.(Women’s) United States vs Germany 2-5Germany took control from the start when a ball was lifted into the circle after deflecting off an American stick. Pauline Heinz did well to control it and beat the keeper to score the opener. Just a minute later Charlotte Stapenhorst received the ball at the top of the D and was afforded plenty of space and time to fire it into the back of the net to double that lead within the first six minutes.The Americans played themselves back into the match towards the end of the first quarter and managed to thwart the German attack in the second period. But a German penalty corner in the third quarter resulted in US keeper Kelsey Bing making two great saves, before Lena Micheel’s third attempt finally got the better of her.Micheel was back in action when she passed in for Jette Fleschütz to drill in Germany’s fourth. They took their foot off the pedal somewhat in the final period and the hard-working USA were finally rewarded for their efforts when Amanda Golini bulleted one in from just inside the circle. A good team effort then culminated with Danielle Grega slotting in their second. The US keeper was pulled to push for another but that only resulted in Sara Strauss claiming Germany’s fifth against the run of play.(Men’s) Belgium vs Spain 5-1Unlike their previous encounter, where the Belgians were 5-1 up by half-time, it was a subdued first half in Antwerp. The home side enjoyed much of the possession but only had four shots on goal to Spain’s two.That all changed in the second half, however. Right at the start of the third quarter, Belgium began a speedy counterattack from the Spanish backline – Felix Denayer’s pinpoint pass finding Sébastien Dockier who had all the time in the world to line up his shot and power it into the back of the net. Five minutes later, Arno van Dessel’s strike was saved by the Spanish keeper, but the ball bounced out to the top of the D where Nicolas de Kerpel pounced on it to fire in Belgium’s second. That seemed to open the floodgates. Alex Hendrickx drilled in the third off a penalty corner which took a big deflection off a Spanish defender, and less than a minute later, Victor Wegnez blasted in their fourth.

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland):-Netherlands and Argentina men while Australia and Germany women claimed victories in the field hockey ties after beating their rivals at two different venues Lee Valley Tennis and Hockey Centre, London, and Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein, Antwerp Belgium in Pro Hockey Leagues competitions.Argentina beat New Zealand 4-2 on SO (2-2)The Black Sticks looked like a different team, playing with much more confidence. They earned their first penalty corner in the second quarter, Kane Russell’s powerful flick to the keeper’s left handing his side the lead.With just over five minutes left in the half, four-goal hero from their last encounter, Tomas Domene, dragged the ball into the bottom left of goal off an Argentinian penalty corner for the equaliser. But the lead didn’t last long after Sean Findlay received the ball in the circle and crossed it in for Hayden Phillips to tap in for the lead just ahead of the half-time break.Nicolas Della Torre then levelled the scores off a penalty corner in the third quarter. While New Zealand were awarded one final penalty corner with 10 seconds left on the clock, the shot went wide, taking the match to a shoot-out, which Los Leones edged 4-2.Netherlands beat Spain on SO 3-1 (2-2)An entertaining first quarter brought Spanish keeper Rafael Revilla into action on several occasions as the Dutch pushed for the opener. But it was the Spanish who eventually scored first in the second period. Borja Lacalle’s excellent run into the D, delivered the ball for Gerard Clapes to provide a beautiful finish and hand the Spanish the lead.With three minutes remaining in the half, Max de Bie hit the post. But teammate Thierry Brinkman made sure his side were on the scoresheet just a minute later, skillfully controlling the ball in front of goal and firing it in for the equaliser. Brinkman was back in scoring action in the third quarter after a defensive slip by the Spanish, his reserve stick shot beating the keeper and taking his side 2-1 ahead.But Spain levelled matters within the first two minutes of the final quarter, Marc Miralles scoring off a penalty corner. The teams remained deadlocked on 2-2, however, taking the match into a shoot-out which the Dutch won 3-1.Australia beat Belgium on SO 3-2 (1-1)Amy Lawton played the ball into space in the circle and a reaching Stephanie Kershaw provided the finish to take her side 1-0 up.After numerous opportunities to score, Belgium finally found the breakthrough off a penalty corner in the second quarter, Stephanie Vanden Borre firing it into the bottom right corner.After a breathless encounter, Australia were awarded a penalty stroke in the final five minutes of the match, but Claire Colwell didn’t get hold of it and Elena Sotgiu made an easy save. That meant the sides were deadlocked at 1-1 by the final hooter, taking the match into yet another shoot-out. After a see-saw series of attempts, the Aussies claimed the 3-2 win.Germany beat Great Britain 4-1Jette Fleschütz’s great solo effort led to the Germans doubling their lead just a few minutes later. A GB counterattack in the second quarter then saw Elena Rayer running three quarters of the length of the pitch to slot in a reserve stick strike and open the home team’s account.Viktoria Huse’s shot off a penalty corner hit the GB keeper’s foot as it popped up into goal for Germany’s third at the start of the second half.GB took off their keeper to push for more goals in the dying minutes of the match, but the Germans capitalised, Pauline Heinz slotting in their fourth from an acute angle to seal the 4-1 win.Lee Valley Tennis and Hockey Centre, London (GBR)Result: Men’s Match 55: Netherlands beat Spain on SO 3-1 (2-2)Player of the Game: Jasper Brinkman (NED)Umpires: Tyler Klenk (CAN), Alison Keogh (IRL), Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL-video)Result: Women’s Match 55: Germany beat Great Britain 4-1Player of the Game: Jette Fleschütz (GER)Umpires: German Montes de Oca (ARG), Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL), Alison Keogh (IRL-video)Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein - Antwerp (BEL)Result: Men’s Match 56: Argentina beat New Zealand 4-2 on SO (2-2)Player of the Game: Nicolas Keenan (ARG)Umpires: Coen van Bunge (NED), Xiaoying Liu (CHN), Martin Madden (SCO-video)Result: Women’s Match 56: Australia beat Belgium on SO 3-2 (1-1)Player of the Game: Amy Lawton (AUS)Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Michelle Meister (GER), Martin Madden (SCO-video)

Lausanne-Switzerland (Sports Bulletin Report):-The Dutch women had to dig deep to earn their 4-2 victory after a brave performance by China as FIH Hockey Pro League action continued in Eindhoven. Later in the evening, the Netherlands men did well to rally back from their worst ever home defeat a day earlier at the hands of Australia to beat India 3-2.(Women’s) Netherlands beat China (4-2)China found some attacking form at the start of the second quarter, however. An excellent penalty corner variation culminated in He Jiangxin deflecting in for a surprise 1-0 lead. But it took only 30 seconds for the Dutch to find the equaliser which was set up by Felice Albers down the right-hand side. The impressive Albers crossed the ball in for Pien Dicke to slot it in to get the home side back on level terms.The Chinese found their second goal in the third quarter. A loose pass out by a Dutch defender went straight to Zou Meirong on the edge of the D who then drilled it in from the right. But the Dutch were back in front by the end of the quarter after China conceded a penalty stroke, with Frédérique Matla finding the back of the net despite Ping going the right way.(Men’s) Netherlands beat India (3-2) Looking for redemption after their heavy loss to Australia a day earlier, the Netherlands were first to score. Sheldon Schouten hit an attacking ball into the circle which found its way through traffic to Duco Telgenkamp to tap it in from the back post.Ten minutes into the third quarter, a fantastic pass from Luke Dommershuijzen to a perfectly placed Boris Burkhardt gave the Dutchman plenty of time to blast it into goal.Another Dutch penalty corner was then saved, but from the ensuing play, Joep de Mol injected the ball back in for Tjep Hoedemakers to produce the faintest of touches and deflect in through the keeper’s legs for the home side to take a 3-1 advantage into the final break.Just 21 seconds into the final quarter a defensive error by the Dutch on their left flank saw Sujit turning over the ball. That allowed Lalit Upadhyay the opportunity to cross it to an unmarked Gurjant Singh who ran into the circle and hit a cracking reverse stick shot past the keeper’s left foot.There was plenty more action in the remaining minutes of the match but the score remained at 3-2, much to the relief of the home side.Result: Women’s Match 46Netherlands 4-2 ChinaPlayer of the Game: Felice Albers (NED)Umpires: Laurine Delforge (BEL), Sarah Wilson (SCO), Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL-video)Result: Men’s Match 46Netherlands 3-2 IndiaPlayer of the Game: Joep de Mol (NED)Umpires: Ben Goentgen (GER), Hannah Harrison (ENG), Laurine Delforge (BEL-video)

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland): The Netherlands women marked their return to international hockey with a dominant 4-0 victory against China as FIH Hockey Pro League action headed to Eindhoven, so extending their unbeaten record in the tournament so far. It was a night for the debutants in the Netherlands men’s team, three of them scoring in their team’s 4-1 victory over India.Netherlands beat China (4-0):China started stronger than they had in any of their matches at the mini-tournament in London, but conceding two early goals meant they never stood much of a chance against the world and Olympic champions.The first attacking move for the Dutch was initiated by Felice Albers who found Yibbi Jansen in the circle. Jansen then played it back for Albers to fire it in for the 1-0 lead. The Dutch were back on attack soon after with Luna Fokke crossing the ball in from the left side. In trying to stop the ball, Tan Jinzhuang only succeeded in turning it into her own goal to double the Dutch lead.China had their best chance of the game in the second quarter when Zou Meirong found herself one-on-one with Anne Veenendaal. But her scooped effort over the keeper’s head went wide of goal and the score remained 2-0 to the Netherlands at half time.China earned their first penalty corner of the match soon after, but the resulting shot hit the crossbar. The Dutch then went on the counterattack and a goalmouth scramble ended with Chinese keeper Liu Ping backhanding the ball in with her glove, the goal credited to the Netherlands’ Joosje Burg.Netherlands beat India (4-1):India were first to make an impression on the scoresheet when a shot from their second penalty corner hit the Dutch first wave on the shin and they were awarded a penalty stroke. Harmanpreet Singh powered it into the bottom left for a 1-0 lead.That lead lasted until the first break. But the Netherlands found the equaliser at the start of the second quarter when Joep de Mol threw an overhead across the circle to Pepijn Reyenga making it difficult for the Indian defence to prevent the 21-year-old from drilling it in for his first international goal.The Netherlands were awarded a penalty corner with five minutes left in the third quarter. An exquisite drag flick from another debutant, Boris Burkhardt, into the top left of goal took the score to 2-1.Less than a minute later the Netherlands took a quick free hit after turning over possession near the halfway line. Reyenga took the ball into the circle and found Bijen Koen on the baseline who played it across the goalmouth where the Indian defence failed to clear and it fell for yet another debutant, Duco Telgenkamp, to flick it in from the back post.There was more to come from the Dutch, a solo reverse stick effort from Telgenkamp once again finding the back of the net. India had the chance to get one back when they were awarded another penalty stroke in the dying seconds, but Pirmin Blaak made the save to seal the 4-1 victory.

Sports Bulletin ReportLausanne (Switzerland):-India overcame Great Britain 4-2 on a penalty shoot-out after playing a 4-4 draw regular time of 60 minutes. Later in the day, the Belgian women continued their journey on a royal road in the mini-tournament, claiming a comfortable 3-1 victory over China.India beat Great Britain 4-4 (SO: 4-2) India got the first penalty corner and Captain Harmanpreet Singh made the most of it, dragging it into the left corner to take the lead 1-0 in a vital encounter, as the opposite side responded almost immediately, earning a penalty corner just 25 seconds later. Sam Ward’s drag flick caught a small deflection off the edge of Amit Rohidas’s stick for the equaliser.With just over five minutes to go in the third quarter, Ward made sure that GB stayed in touch with his 100th international goal. This time, Pathak just couldn’t get enough stick on Ward’s strike from the penalty corner. An action-packed final quarter saw Ward completing his hat-trick with a field goal, so finding the equaliser for GB at 3-3. India then regained the lead five minutes later, Dilpreet Singh, Vivek Prasad and Abishek combining to put their team in front. But another beautiful strike from Ward for his first four-goal haul in GB colours took the match to a shootout. Rupert Shipperley and Phil Roper missed their chances while the Indians slotted in all of theirs to take the 4-2 win.Belgium beat China women (3-1):Belgium took the lead in the first quarter when Charlotte Engelbert’s dink into the circle on the reverse was fired into the bottom left corner by Justine Rasir. The Belgians doubled that lead in the second quarter. Having turned it over on the 23, Barbara Nelen drove it into the circle for a well-taken strike by Emily White.Belgium still held that 2-0 lead heading into the half-time break but knew not to take anything for granted after seeing the Chinese fighting their way back from 3-1 down and pushing GB all the way a day earlier.But a great comeback was not on the cards for the Chinese. The first time Belgian goalkeeper Elodie Picard was brought into action was towards the end of the third quarter, but she was up to the task to keep Zou Meirong’s shot out of goal. A much better final quarter from China saw them playing themselves back into the game. The ball was recycled off a good penalty corner variation and fell to Liu Chencheng who drilled it in to halve the deficit.After the goal, China immediately pulled off their keeper to push for an equaliser with an extra player. But it cost them when they conceded a penalty corner soon after and none of the defenders could stop Stephanie Vanden Borre’s drag into the top of the goal to seal the 3-1 win.