Two late goals steal victory for the Netherlands

On a day when the big guns needed to perform, the Dutch superstars were found wanting for the first 55 minutes of the game. Uncharacteristic errors across the pitch and two Maartje Paumen misses at penalty corners kept the capacity crowd on the edge of their seats. It took an absolute gem of a shot from Kelly Jonker, which was just tipped in by Kim Lammers, and a fine sole effort from Naomi van As to secure a 2-0 win over a hugely competitive Australia team.

The Hockeyroos dominated the opening 10 minutes with Georgie Parker and Anna Flanagan both having influential games upfront and in midfield respectively. Emily Hurtz was unlucky to see her shot deflected over the crossbar and Parker also drew a great save from Soembroek. Another Australian player who has had a quiet tournament so far is Casey Eastham, but today was her chance to show what she could do and her constant harrying of the Netherlands defence, plus some last ditch defending duties, were signs that she is finding her tournament feet.

In the battle of the drag-flickers, it was Flanagan who first had the chance to make her mark. Her well-taken drag-flick was well-saved by Joyce Soembroek, who has finally had some real World Cup action after three games where she has been largely a passive observer.

As the Hockeyroos continued to pressure the Netherlands, there were signs that players were feeling the pressure. Gone was the slick passing and seamless movement of the ball as the Hockeyroos made their presence felt all over the pitch. From a Netherland's perspective, Margot van Geffen and Willemijn Bos both had excellent games in defence for the Oranje. 

With five minutes of the half left, Australia won another penalty corner, and this time a thunderous flick from Jodie Kenny again highlighted the excellence of the Netherland's 'keeper, Soembroek.

Following the break, the Netherlands came out with a renewed intensity. Roos Drost and van As were particularly busy on the right of the pitch, and although Australia won two more penalty corners, there was a sense of inevitability about the increasing Netherland's dominance. The first goal, a fierce shot from Kelly Jonker which was tipped in by Kim Lammers, broke the deadlock, but still did not put the game out of the Australian's reach. they continued to push and Ashleigh Nelson was unlucky to see her shot deflected over the bar. The final nail in the coffin was delivered by Naomi van As, a deserved reward for a very hard-working performance. Van As picked up the ball in the 23, dribbled around the circle and was falling as she shot past Ashlee Wells in the Hockeyroos goal.

Australia's coach Adam Commens said: "We definitely stepped up a gear and I will be expecting a performance like that in the next games. The girls played well and made chances, but we needed to score. It was a great game and a great advert for the women's game."

Maartje Paumen: "Australia was the better team in the first half, but I think we were able to play our own game more in the second half."

Coach Max Caldas added: "The game could have gone either way, it was what it was. the Australian's were very unlucky."

The result means that the Netherlands have a maximum 12 points, while the Hockeyroos are in a battle with Korea for the second spot.

Official Match Report (PDF)