Sports Bulletin Report
Lausanne (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 4-1
Jette 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 4-1
Player 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)
