Black Sticks men suffer FIH Hockey Pro League heartbreak, Dutch women destroy Germany

Germany found themselves 1-3 down at half-time and took a last-gasp victory over a brave New Zealand as the FIH Hockey Pro League action moved to Amsterdam. The Germans had four shots on goal and four goals, and their last-minute win confirmed New Zealand’s elimination from the FIH Hockey Pro League. In the women’s tournament, Holland was in dominant form. He scored three goals in the first half and then added two in quick succession late in the second half to defeat Germany 5-0.

(men) Germany vs New Zealand 4-3

New Zealand came out firing against the world champions and were rewarded for their early pressure when Sam Lane completed a fine team goal midway through the first quarter.

However, the lead didn’t last long when Gonzalo Peillat found Justus Weigand just in front of the goal and scored the equalizer three minutes later.

The Black Sticks struck early in the second quarter when George Baker fired over. His effort was blocked by Alexander Stadler, but Blair Tarrant quickly pounced on the ball from the keeper’s pads to regain the lead. Lane then added to the scoring, drilling home from a penalty corner to take a two-goal lead into the half-time break.

Marco Miltkau then got one back for the Germans in the third quarter, spinning and turning the ball into the net. With New Zealand clearly tired, Weigand easily finished second and the Germans third. Malte Hellwig got plenty of space at the top of the D and fired it to Weigand to add the deflection.

Germany were then awarded a penalty corner in the final minute of the match and Peillat drilled it through the middle to break New Zealand hearts. The 4-3 loss meant a certain relegation from the FIH Hockey Pro League.

Justus Weigand was chosen as the player of the match and said: The first half was difficult for us. In the second half we defended better than in the first half and I think that was the main thing. I think it was just a mental thing for us. Defensively we did it pretty well in the second half and mentally it was better than the first.

(Women) Netherlands vs Germany 5-0

It was a dominant first quarter for the Dutch and their patience paid off as Freeke Moes fed a cross for Frdrique Matla to convert in the opener to take a deserved lead.

A penalty corner awarded to the Netherlands early in the second quarter culminated in Yibbi Jansen’s powerful drive that steamed past the goalkeeper’s left side.

Jansen then added another penalty corner five minutes later to his remarkable tournament, taking his season-leading FIH Hockey Pro League total to 11 goals.

The Germans were able to apply more pressure in the last quarter, but they didn’t make it count. Instead, Moes, Felice Albers and Joosje Burg took the home team even further. Less than a minute later there was more to come from the Dutch, another phenomenal team effort that again set up Burg to tap into the fifth.

Joosje Burg was named man of the match and said: It’s very satisfying. 5-0 against Germany is fantastic, so I’m very happy. I think we started quite well, good pressure, it was good to be three at the end. And I think after that it was a bit less than the first half, but then we did quite well and scored two great goals, really good team goals, so we were very pleased.

To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, Click here.

FIH Pro League 23.6.2023

Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen (NED)

Result: Men’s match 61

Germany 4-3 New Zealand

Player of the game: Justus Weigand (GER)

Judges: Jonas vant Hek (NED), Irene Prensenqui (ARG), Annelize Rostron (RSA video)

Result: Women’s match 61

Holland 5-0 Germany

Player of the game: Joosje Burg (NED)

Judges: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Xiaoying Liu (CHN), Gabriel Labate (ARG)

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