Few Occasions When the Mighty Netherlands Eves Were Inflicted International Defeats in Recent Years!
The Netherlands women’s hockey team have built an ‘aura of invincibility’ around them on the world stage – the Oranjeskirts have been a tough nut to crack for most teams at international competitions be it the Olympics, World Cup, Pro League, European Championships or bilateral Test matches.
The formidable look and feel of the Netherlands ever are powered by the presence of Xan de Waard, Maria Verschoor, Anne Veenendaal, Laura Nunnink, Frédérique Matla, Pien Sanders, Yibbi Jansen and Freeke Moes among a host of others.
The Raoul Ehren-coached Dutch hockey eves have the larger responsibility of maintaining their vice-like grip on world women’s hockey after the scripting glory at the 2024 Paris Olympics but not before they were pushed to their limits by surprise packet China in the summit clash.
The Dutch eves last had lost a game in the Olympics nine years back in the final of the 2016 Rio Olympics when they lost to Great Britain in a shootout. The last time they had lost a World Cup game was fifteen years at the 2010 World Cup at Rosario, where they lost 1-3 to Argentina.
Let us take a deep dive into a few occasions in recent years when the redoubtable Netherlands women’s team were consigned to international defeats in last 5 years.
December 15, 2024 – Lost to Argentina 2-3 at Santiago del Estero
The Netherlands women’s hockey team tasted their first defeat since cornering glory at the 2024 Paris Olympics when they lost to Argentina by the odd goal in three at Santiago del Estero in the 2024-25 Pro League. Talented 18-year-old Zoe Diaz gave Argentina an early lead before the Dutch mounted a comeback levelling things in the second quarter via Fay van der Elst. The honours were shared for most part until the final eight minutes of play really enlivened Juana Castellaro regaining the lead in the 52nd minute before the Olympic champions restored parity via Mette Winter a minute later. It was left to mercurial Maria Jose Granatto to churn out the match-clincher with just two minutes left.
June 24, 2024 – Lost to Belgium 1-2 at Utrecht
Belgium women’s hockey team under coach Raoul Ehren (now current Dutch coach) got the better of the Netherlands 2-1 in the 2023-24 Pro League at Utrecht. Charlotte Englebert Utrecht gave the Red Panthers an early lead but the Dutch evened things up close to half-time via Fay van der Elst. Stephanie Vanden Borre fired a short corner to seal the fate of the Dutch with her final quarter goal.
June 4, 2022 – Lost to England 1-3 at London
The Netherlands women’s hockey team went down to England 1-3 in the 2021-22 Pro League at London. The David Ralph-coached side seized the initiative taking the lead via Anna Toman. Isabelle Petter doubled the lead in the closing stages of the third quarter. The Dutch pulled one back in the final quarter via Maxime Kerstholt but England put the lid to any last-minute nerves with Grace Balsdon converting a penalty stroke – the insurance goal was enough to win the day.
February 20, 2020 – Lost to Argentina 0-2 at Buenos Aires
The Dutch eves lost to Argentina 0-2 in the 2020-21 Pro League at Buenos Aires. After a goalless first half, star drag-flicker Agustina Gorzelany put Argentina in the second half profiting from a shortie. Vastly experienced Delfina Merino doubled the lead in the closing stages of play to inflict a rare defeat on the Dutch.
(Note Pro League shootout wins are considered as a draw)
Image Credit: FIH
