Dutch double seals maximum points
The Netherlands continued their triumphant domination of pool A with a 2-0 victory over a brave, committed New Zealand side who, despite defending heroically, could not create more than a handful of scoring opportunities. While not the scoreline that the opening few minutes threatened to deliver, this was a game that the women in orange were in control of and opposing teams will have struggled to identify too many chinks in Max Caldas’ side.
Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvel (4′) opened the scoring when she deflected Maartje Paumen’s low drag flick into the bottom of the New Zealand net, signalling the start of a Dutch onslaught on the Black Sticks goal. The Netherlands won four penalty corners in the first 15 minutes of the game but, unusually, only scored from one of them.
The defence was given respite towards the tail-end of the half when Anita Punt and Stacey Michelesen combined to put pressure on the Netherlands defence, but the relief was temporary before the team in orange came again. This time the ‘keeper Sally Rutherford stopped an Ellen Hoog shot at pointblank range before Samantha Charlton threw herself in front of a shot from Kim Lammers. These heroics drew praise from Rutherford after the game: “Sam Charlton was one of the defenders who deserve special mention, the kids just did a really good job.”
Lidewij Welton, sporting a dressing on her injured hand, and Naomi van As drove the Netherlands attack on from midfield, but it was Kelly Jonker who came closest to adding to the score before half-time, forcing yet another close range save from Rutherford.
The Netherlands doubled their lead in the 30th minute when Kim Lammers (30′) latched onto a cross from Van den Heuvel and Rutherford could only watch as the ball lodged in the roof of the net.
It was not totally one way traffic in the first half, with the Black Sticks mounting attacks on the Netherlands circle, but such is the structure and discipline of this Dutch team that Joyce Soembroek in the Netherlands goal was not called on to make a save in the first 35 minutes.
In the second half, New Zealand dug deep and there were some brave tackles taking place throughout the Black Sticks defensive quarter. Rutherford was called on again and again and proved equal to the challenge, saving in quick succession from Kim Lammers and van As.
There was high drama in the 48th minute as Jonker hit the post after the ball was slipped past Rutherford. A video referral resulted in a penalty corner, which New Zealand successfully defended and tuned into a fast break of their own.Anita Punt tried a cheeky lift over Soembroek’s head, but her shot was high over the crossbar; if nothing else this proved the Black Sticks were not scared of attacking their illustrious opponents.
With 55 minutes gone, Rutherford again showed her class as she stretched to prevent a penalty corner follow-up from breaching the Black Sticks defences.
There was nearly a shock on the cards with just eight minutes left on the clock when Stacey Michelesen found herself in the centre of the Netherland’s circle with only the ‘keeper to beat. However, Soembroek stood her ground and drew a huge cheer as she saved and cleared the subsequent shot – her only touch of the ball in the game.
The Netherlands should have put the game completely out of reach when Jonker fed Paumen right in front of the goal, but the Dutch superstar somehow deflected her shot over the crossbar. While not a classic Netherlands performance, this was enough to secure the maximum nine points from three games and keep the home nation right on track.
Joyce Soembroek, who only touched the ball once during the game, said: “There were a few things we could have done better today. It would have been nice to have closed the game down earlier by putting our shots away, but we will look at that. The games are only going to get tougher from now on.”
Rutherford added that the Black Sticks had always known this was going to be a tough game. “We just have to win our last two games now. Second in this pool is still our target.”
The result leaves the Netherlands top of the group, ahead of Australia on goals scored and New Zealand in fourth place.