No repeat for hockey stars after Dutch gain revenge

GREAT BRITAIN’s hopes of successfully defending the women’s hockey gold medal they won in Rio came to an abrupt end, as the Netherlands gained revenge for that final defeat with a thumping semi-final victory.

The Brits had beaten the Dutch in a thrilling penalty shootout five years ago to claim the country’s first Olympic women’s title, but where that match had been decided by the finest of margins, there was a chasm between the two sides at the Oi Stadium as Felice Albers scored twice in a 5-1 hammering.

“They are an unbelievable team who will punish you if you get things wrong,” said goalkeeper Maddie Hinch.

“It is their ability to punish mistakes. Some of the goals were world-class, and sometimes you have to say they were better than us today. That’s that.”

Team GB could yet leave Tokyo with a medal, with either India or Argentina lying in wait in the bronze medal match tomorrow, although they will need to regroup quickly after what was a morale-draining defeat in hot and humid conditions.

Britain had already been beaten by the Netherlands 1-0 in the group stage, but a penalty shootout victory over Spain had rebuilt momentum and created a feeling that history might yet repeat itself.

Hinch made two smart saves in quick succession at the end of the first quarter against the Dutch, but those hopes ultimately lasted all of 19 minutes until two goals in 60 seconds put the Netherlands firmly in charge, Albers opening the scoring before Marloes Keetels quickly doubled the lead with a long-range effort.

A response was needed after the interval, but Team GB failed to deliver one and within two minutes of the start of the second half, the game was as good as over as Maria Verschoor deflected home a penalty corner.

A superb finish from Albers made it four and while Giselle Ansley pulled one back towards the end of the fourth quarter, it never looked like being more than a consolation. Sure enough, Frederique Matla completed the rout as Hinch was beaten for a fifth time 11 minutes from time.

“We need to park it,” Hinch added. “There is no time. There is a reason why we are here, and we need to focus on that. I don’t think we should fear it. It would be massive for this group if we get a medal, and believe we can do it. We learned from Rio that it is the power of belief.”

The Netherlands had been the twotime defending champions when they were stunned in Brazil, and they have since reasserted their dominance with three European Championships and a World Cup win in the extended intervening period.

Rather like Jason Kenny and Co in the Velodrome yesterday, Team GB were given a brutal reminder of just how far the Dutch have kicked on.