Dutch men face Argentina in World Cup hockey, women win again

The Dutch men’s hockey team are taking on Argentina in their second World Cup group match on Tuesday, with the winners set to take a giant step towards the knock-out rounds.

Both teams won their opening matches comfortably, with the Netherlands beating New Zealand 5-1 in Amstelveen while Argentina overcame Japan by a 3-0 scoreline at the same venue.

The Netherlands and Belgium are co-hosting the tournament, 12 years after the World Cup was held in The Hague. On that occasion the Dutch women’s team won their tournament while the men lost in the final to Australia.

The women’s team are on the brink of reaching the quarter-finals this time after coming through a tricky tie against Australia to win 4-2.

Goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal was kept busy in the opening period as the Dutch had to defend seven penalty corners before taking the lead when Yibbi Jansen scored from a penalty corner at the other end.

Joosje Burg made it two midway through the second period, but Australia hit back almost immediately through Stephanie Kershaw.

After a goalless third quarter, the Australians equalised when Abigail Wilson converted a penalty corner, but Burg restored the lead with her second before Marijn Veen rounded off a fine move to make sure of the points.

In an intriguing subplot, the Argentinian men’s team includes Nicolas Keenan, the fiancé of Dutch prime minister Rob Jetten.

 

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Jetten wore an Argentina replica shirt as he cheered on his partner from the sidelines on Sunday’s match, but was evasive when asked by RTL which team he would be supporting on Tuesday.

“Hopefully it’ll be a draw so we don’t have to fall out at home,” he joked.