It was the match-up everybody wished to see. Primary within the FIH World Rankings versus quantity two. The undefeated FIH Hockey Professional League champions versus the reigning World Cup champions. The cool, calm, composed Dutch versus the hearth and feistiness of Las Leonas.
Earlier than the match, Netherlands Head Coach Jamilon Mülders spoke of the necessity to nullify the specter of Agustina Albertarrio and Maria Granatto, which his crew proceeded to do, whereas concurrently unleashing their very own devastating tempo, velocity and imaginative and prescient onto the Argentina defence. The Dutch hockey was highly effective, compelling and totally unstoppable. It gave the Oranje their ninth title, with Eva de Goede, Xan de Waard, Marloes Keetels, Margot van Geffen and Lidewij Welten all receiving their third World Cup gold medal.
Within the earlier bronze medal match, Australia broke German hearts after they turned the match round within the closing quarter. Germany had regarded spectacular within the first three quarters and appeared to have the bronze medal within the bag however Australia had different concepts and scored twice within the final quarter-hour. The Hockeyroos had been stored within the match by the superb goalkeeping of Jocelyn Bartram, who denied Die Danas again and again.
Australia vs Germany (third place/bronze medal match)
After their breakneck begin in opposition to Argentina the day before today, Germany began at a barely much less frenetic tempo within the bronze medal match. This translated right into a extra structured efficiency from the European crew however with few alternatives to place the Australian defence underneath assault.
That each one modified within the 14th minute when Hanna Granitski discovered Lena Micheel with a ravishing move that dissected the midfield. Micheel ghosted by way of the defence and her operating shot flew previous Jocelyn Bartram into the Australia aim.
The second quarter noticed Australia discovering their toes within the recreation to a higher diploma. Stephanie Kershaw, who has had a superb World Cup, was instrumental in driving the crew forwards. Her by way of balls to the forwards had been asking questions of the German defence.
The primary penalty nook of the match went Germany’s manner after some good work by Micheel and Nike Lorenz. Goalkeeper Bartram and her defence handled the penalty nook try effectively. That was the one actual scoring likelihood within the second quarter as each side struggled to discover a well beyond two well-coached defensive models.
Australia’s first actual likelihood got here after they broke by way of the center of the pitch early within the second quarter. Once more it was Kershaw who began the transfer and her move discovered Rosie Malone. The ahead had eyes just for the aim as she sprinted ahead however she was met by German goalkeeper Nathalie Kubalski who blocked Malone’s run till the defence was capable of recuperate.
German countered shortly as Pia Maertens broke by way of and solely had Bartram to beat. The Australian goalkeeper learn the transfer brilliantly and made a improbable save to maintain her crew within the match.
Australia thought they’d acquired again into the sport simply earlier than the break on the finish of the third quarter. A sustained interval of play led to a penalty nook however Maertens was fulfilling her defensive roles as a lot as her attacking ones and she or he picked the ball from mid-air because it was headed goalwards from a Renee Taylor shot.
Germany began the ultimate quarter at high tempo as they sought to construct on their slender 1-0 lead. Two penalty corners gave them alternatives from the highest of the D, however Australia’s defence held robust.
That robust defence paid dividends a couple of minutes later when Stephanie Kershaw bullishly made her manner by way of the German defence and created sufficient house to shoot previous Kubalski and produce the scores degree with simply over 10 minutes left to play.
In a sub-story to the match, a twin was rising between Bartram and Maertens because the goalkeeper denied the attacking midfielder on quite a lot of events, together with two fairly superb saves within the fourth quarter.
Australia took the lead with 5 minutes left when Kershaw popped as much as pounce on a shot from Claire Colwill. The entire transfer had began with the sterling work of Amy Lawton, who had been driving the crew forwards all through the match.
Germany immediately eliminated their goalkeeper to get an on-field participant benefit nevertheless it was to no avail as Australia stored their cool and composure to run the clock all the way down to deny a German revival and seal the bronze medal.
Participant of the Match Jocelyn Bartram (AUS) stated: ‘I really feel simply so elated. That was a tricky recreation and Germany was a tricky opponent however we caught to our processes and pulled by way of. I’ve been working onerous previously few years to get my likelihood however my teammates deserve the credit score as a result of they all the time have my again.’
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Argentina vs Netherlands (Last/gold medal match)
There have been tears on the nationwide anthems with some athletes understanding this was their closing match for his or her nation. Belen Succi and Marloes Keetels have already introduced that is their final outing within the nationwide shirt however there have been different gamers combating again the feelings forward of this extremely anticipated closing.
Argentina had very early strain with two penalty corners within the first minute. Keetels, who was carrying the captain’s armband, stopped the primary off the road and the second noticed Austina Gorzelany put her shot excessive over the crossbar.
Netherlands’ first significant assault got here by way of the velocity and talent of Felice Albers. Nonetheless, Gorzelany is not only a scoring machine; on this event, she confirmed all her defensive skill to steal the ball from Albers’ stick.
The primary quarter ended goalless with each groups having loved a smattering of makes an attempt however neither aspect having edged forward when it comes to photographs on aim or possession.
One minute into the second quarter and Albers strode ahead to intercept a excessive aerial thrown by Valentina Costa. Her motion into the circle pressured a foul and subsequent penalty nook. It was the opening the reigning champions had been ready for. Yibbi Jansen shot and Maria Verschoor was available to fit the ball previous Belen Succi to provide the crew a useful aim lead.
The distinction between the 2 groups at this level was that the Netherlands had been taking part in shortly however Argentina was doing every little thing in a rush.
Netherlands’ second aim got here by way of the route one strategy. Pien Sanders threw a wonderful aerial. Laurien Leurink collected and threaded a move to Frederique Matla. Matla put the ball excessive into Succi’s internet.
The half-time break couldn’t have come fast sufficient for Argentina as they held on to see out the specter of two penalty corners on the stroke of half-time, with Belen Succi sustaining an damage within the course of.
Argentina got here out for the second half decided to chop the Dutch lead however of their seek for a aim the crew misplaced their composure. No such downside existed for the Netherlands. The third aim was a supremely assured piece of teamwork topped by some sheer particular person brilliance. Eve de Goede and Sanders performed the ball out of defence with a collection of intricate little ‘give and go’ passes, then launched the ball to Albers who carved her manner by way of the Argentina midfield and defence earlier than taking pictures previous Succi.
One minute into the fourth quarter and Albertarrio confirmed that she wasn’t giving up the battle. The ahead gained the penalty nook and Gorzelany despatched the ball excessive into Josine Koning’s aim.
This galvanised Las Leonas and there was a variety of ahead movement. The issue was that the crew wasn’t connecting and too many passes went astray or had been despatched hopefully in the direction of the Dutch circle.
The Netherlands weathered the Argentina storm and gained one other penalty nook. Eva de Goede thought she had scored a aim to mark her return to the crew however the whistle had gone and the midfielder was denied.
Participant of the Match Felice Albers (NED) stated: ‘It’s a nice feeling. I’m so pleased with our crew. This was the very best model of our crew. We had been the very best crew immediately and that was our greatest recreation of the match.’
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