Hockey World Cup: Netherlands, Argentina Set for 2022 Final Rematch
Amsterdam August 28th: The Netherlands and Argentina will meet in the FIH Hockey World Cup final on Saturday, setting up a repeat of the 2022 title clash, when the Dutch emerged victorious.
The Netherlands, hosts and three-time defending champions, booked their place in the final with a narrow 1-0 win over Belgium in the first semifinal. Argentina then secured their spot with another 1-0 victory, defeating Australia in the second semifinal.
Netherlands Edge Belgium in Tight Semifinal
The Netherlands faced a determined Belgium side in Amsterdam, with the visitors matching the defending champions during a closely fought opening quarter.
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Frédérique Matla produced a one-handed deflection following a well-worked move to give the Netherlands the lead.
Belgium earned a penalty corner with just nine seconds remaining in the first half but failed to convert the opportunity.
The second half remained closely contested. Belgium appeared to have equalised late in the match when 18-year-old Famke van Heel fired the ball into the net. However, the goal was overturned following a review.
The Netherlands held on for victory and reached their eighth consecutive Hockey World Cup final.
Argentina Beat Australia 1-0
Argentina also secured their place in the title clash with a 1-0 victory over Australia.
The first half was closely fought, with both sides managing only five circle entries and one penalty corner each.
Argentina increased the pressure after the break but struggled to find a way through Australia's defence. Australian opportunities were also kept under control, with Argentina goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino making an important save.
Argentina finally broke the deadlock in the 47th minute when Julieta Jankunas converted a penalty-corner variation.
Cosentino then produced two crucial saves from Australian penalty corners in the final quarter to protect Argentina's lead.
Australia came close to forcing an equaliser with just 17 seconds remaining, but captain Grace Stewart narrowly failed to connect with an attempt from outside the circle.
Argentina held on to reach their seventh World Cup final.
Spain Finish Seventh
Earlier, Spain secured seventh place after defeating China 1-0 in a shootout following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Spain took the lead near the end of the first quarter when a mis-hit by Marta Segu found its way into the goal.
China equalised with just two seconds remaining in the second quarter through Anhui Yu, who produced a powerful reverse strike from the edge of the circle.
Neither team could find a winner in the remaining periods. Spain eventually prevailed in the shootout, winning 1-0 after 11 unsuccessful attempts by the two teams.
England Take Ninth Place
England finished ninth after beating the USA 3-1, with all four goals coming from penalty corners.
Elizabeth Neal opened the scoring before USA forward Ryleigh Heck levelled the contest in the second quarter.
England regained the lead five minutes later through Lily Owsley, who finished a clever penalty-corner variation. Tessa Howard added the third goal in the 55th minute.
Japan Finish 11th
Japan secured 11th place with a 2-1 win over Scotland.
Miyu Suzuki opened the scoring from a penalty stroke in the 11th minute, while Akari Nakagomi doubled Japan's advantage with a deflection in the final quarter.
Scotland pulled one back through Ellie Mackenzie from a penalty corner with just over two minutes remaining after removing their goalkeeper.
Japan survived another late penalty corner with 34 seconds left to seal the victory.
Ireland Beat South Africa
In the playoff for 13th place, Ireland defeated South Africa after Niamh and Michelle Carey combined to put their side ahead in the 14th minute.
South Africa created several chances, particularly on the counterattack, but could not find an equaliser as Ireland held on for the win.
The spotlight now turns to the much-anticipated Netherlands-Argentina final, with the two sides preparing to renew their rivalry from the 2022 World Cup title clash.
