GB Women Lose Whilst Men Edge Past Netherlands On Matchday Two Of FIH Pro League 2023-24

The reigning Olympic, World and European Champions Netherlands handed GB Women a heartbreaking 0-8 loss in their second match of the season.

The Dutch displayed their dominance from the word go, showcasing attacking intent and scored as many as three goals in the first quarter. It was Yibii Jansen who netted twice through fiery drag-flicks in the 4th and 14th minutes respectively, while Freeke Moes added the third goal from a penalty corner in the 15th minute to end the opening quarter with a 3-0 lead.

GB started the second quarter brightly, they earned their first penalty corner of the match in the 21st minute but couldn't capitalise on it.

The Dutch responded with a penalty corner in the following minute and didn't fail to convert it as Pien Sanders found the back of the net after the ball had been mishandled around the circle.

Not giving up easily, GB earned back-to-back penalty corners in the last minute of the first half but missed out on converting the opportunities to reduce the deficit.

The Olympic Champions started the second half aggressively as Moes scored her second and the team's third goal of the match in the 32nd minute. Jansen completed her hat-trick in the 36th minute as she added the sixth goal to the team's tally which came from a penalty stroke after her drag-flick hit the body of Giselle Ansley on the goal line during a PC routine.

Two minutes later, Fay van der Elst extended the Dutch's lead to 7-0 from an open play and Luna Fokke scored the eighth goal in the 44th minute of the match.

GB have had a fair share of chances, they had a hat-trick of penalty corners in the last minute of the third quarter but failed to score a goal.

They created goalscoring opportunities in the final quarter with an improved attack but were off the target in the match. The Dutch, on the other hand, had two penalty corners in the dying stage of the match, but couldn't add further goals to their 8-0 lead.

GB Women will take on Argentina in their third match of the mini-tournament on 09 December at 2200 hrs UK Time.

GB avenged their EuroHockey Championship 2023 final loss as they edged past the Netherlands 3-2 in their second match of the season. Debutant Struan Walker (15', 55') struck twice, while Nick Bandurak (28') scored one for GB. Jorrit Croon (17') and Jip Janssen (32') were the goal scorers for the Netherlands.

The Netherlands started the match on the front foot. They had as many as five penalty corners in the opening quarter, but it was GB who broke the deadlock through debutant Walker's fiery reverse flick in the 15th minute.

The Dutch equalised within two minutes of the second quarter through Croon, who showcased individual skills to create space for himself to find the back of the net.

The latter phase of the second quarter saw some end-to-end action, both teams pushed each other for an opening. GB were successful in regaining their lead through Bandurak's remarkable field goal, ending the first half with a narrow 2-1 lead.

The Netherlands yet again scored an equaliser within two minutes of a new quarter. Jansen made no mistake in converting a penalty corner in the 32nd minute to make it 2-2. On the other hand, GB kept making inroads attacking inroads, but the Dutch defence kept them at bay.

With the match tied at 2-2 gridlock, both teams showcased urgency to find an opening. The Netherlands created a scoring opportunity in the early phase of the final quarter but GB's defence stood tall to deny their opponents from scoring, 

In reply, GB scored the third goal through Walker in the 55th minute. Showcasing maturity, he linked up with Tom Sorsby and found himself in the right place to score his second goal that also turned out to be a winner.

The Dutch tried their best to score the third equaliser, but GB's defence averted the danger to take home their first win of the season.

They will take on Argentina in their third match of the mini-tournament on 10 December at 0030 hrs UK Time.