The FIH Hockey Pro League was underway in Utrecht, Netherlands, on Saturday, with the home team on the brink of winning its second consecutive championship against a struggling German opponent who had not beaten the Netherlands in regulation time since the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Returning to action for the first time since February, the Netherlands ultimately scored 13 points in a commanding victory.Number They won 13 games this season and claimed their fourth FIH Hockey Pro League title.
(Women) Netherlands 4 – 0 Germany
The Netherlands made a spectacular return to international action with a comfortable 4-0 win over Germany, clinching the FIH Hockey Pro League title with three games to play. A closely fought first half was decided by two sharp plays by the Netherlands.
Ibi Jansen scored the opening goal with a free kick in the eighth minute.Number A minute later, Runa Fokke passed to Janssen, who ran 20 metres and completed a sensational deflection to double the home team's lead.
The third quarter was a tightly fought battle with both teams wasting one penalty corner opportunity each.
In the final period, the Netherlands won the ball from a pushback and earned a penalty corner, which Jansen converted with a powerful shot to move into the lead on the women's scoring charts with an impressive 17 goals so far this season.
Frederic Matra scored a drag flick two minutes later to give Germany the trophy. Germany had a good mid-quarter lead but couldn't close the gap much and the Netherlands took control again, closing out the game and claiming the title.
A delighted Freak Moos was named Man of the Match for the Netherlands. He added, “This was our first game after the break, so we haven't played together for long, so I think it was good that we won today and became champions in the professional league, and I'm very happy.”
Top Scorer Armband
To recognise talented goalscorers throughout the season, FIH has introduced the Top Scorer Armband, which will be worn by the top scorers in both men's and women's matches this season, providing a visual marker for fans and for players to wear with pride during each match.
Current top scorers:
Women – Ibi Jansen (NED) (17 goals)
Men – Blake Govers (Australia) / Zip Jansen (Netherlands) / Harmanpreet Singh (India) (12 goals)
To see the current FIH Hockey Pro League standings, click here.
FIH Hockey Pro League – June 22, 2024
SV Kampong, Utrecht (NED)
woman
Result: Match 65 (Won)
Netherlands 4 – 0 Germany
Man of the Match: Freak Morse (NED)
Umpires: Rachel Williams (ENG), Wanli Venter (RSA), Hannah Harrison (ENG-Video)
