FIH Pro League: Dutch women win over China, Australia beats USA

Bhubaneswar (Uttam Hindu News): Reigning champions Netherlands added another win to their tally as Australia dominated the United States in a Women’s FIH Hockey Pro League encounter at the Kalinga Stadium here on Tuesday. However, the ever-improving Chinese team made every effort to hand the Dutch women a 3–1 victory. In the second match of the day, Australia dominated the US and returned to winning ways by defeating the Americans 3–0.

The Netherlands struggled in the first half, but found their rhythm and defeated an excellent Chinese team. Both teams had chances to score throughout, but China had the regrettable missed chances after brilliantly executing their plans to repeatedly break into the Dutch center channel in the first half, but their finishing let them down. .

Zhong Jiaqi managed to put China ahead in the second quarter, however, as he skillfully fired the ball past the goalkeeper with his reverse stick. But Freeke Moze equalized for the Dutch by using his reverse stick and delivering an accurate strike. Marijne Wien then put the Netherlands ahead after 25 minutes when a goalmouth scramble led the ball to her for an easy tap-in. Although China continued to play positive hockey, they were down 2-1 at halftime. The Netherlands tightened up the center channel in the second half and took more control, conceding two goals after Moyes allowed them to run unchecked to the top of the circle before banging in his shot. China did well in defense to deny the Dutch all of their penalty corner chances, but failed to convert three of theirs.

Australia pressured the United States throughout the first half of their 3–0 win, with Tatum Stewart putting them ahead in the first quarter with a bullet-pointed drag flick. Stephanie Kershaw extended that lead in the second quarter, battling for possession against a group of defenders and getting a clean shot for a 2–0 lead at halftime. The United States were better in the second half, but Australia grabbed a third with Grace Stewart taking the lead when she crossed the goalkeeper and took an excellent deflection over her head. The Hockeyroos found themselves under pressure in the final quarter, receiving one green and two yellow cards and having nine players face penalty strokes with seven minutes remaining, but the USA failed to take advantage as time expired.