07-Feb-2025 06:46 PM
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Sydney, Feb 7 (Reporter) The Netherlands men bounced back from their surprise loss to Australia on Thursday with a 2-1 win over Spain to climb to the top of the table
The Netherlands raced into the lead in the second minute, Pepijn van der Heijden finding the back of the net with a well-executed drag flick. They went on to boss the quarter with numerous opportunities while Spain had a solitary attempt from a penalty corner.
The Red Sticks worked their way into the game in the second quarter, making some good intercepts and fast counterattacks, but the Dutch remained 1-0 up at half time.
The Dutch doubled their lead in the 34th minute from a poor Spanish clearance, intercepting on the 23-yard line and finding Koen Bijen in the circle for a first-time strike. Maurits Visser then denied Spain with an excellent save from open play, but a sublime deflection from Gerard Clapes in the
41st minute closed the gap.
Rafael Revilla then made a couple of vital saves while a Spanish player served a five-minute suspension to keep his team in contention with 15 minutes to play.
The Netherlands turned up the heat in a high-paced final quarter as they went in search of a two-goal cushion. Revilla was excellent in Spain’s goal, making two high-quality penalty corner saves and one from open play through the middle of the period.
The Spaniards pushed hard in the final two minutes, but they couldn’t find an equaliser and the victory sent the Dutch to the top of the table.
The player of the match was Koen Bijen for the Netherlands who said: “We’re quite a new team
here in Australia, we’re missing some big players, but we’re doing well...////...