Netherlands score last-minute goal to hold England 4-4 to win series 1-0

Mink Van Der Weerden (file photo)

Olympic silver medallist Netherlands pulled off a goal in the dying minute to force an exhilarating 4-4 draw with England in the third and final match of the NOW: Pensions Nations Cup in Wakefield.

The Dutch stepped on the gas straightaway and forced a penalty corner in the very first minute after an England player ‘carried’ in their own ‘D’. It was left to Rogier Hofman to lay it to Mink van der Weerden, whose drag flick beat the England goalie George Pinner, giving his side a 1–0 lead.

The match was played at a great pace as both teams engaged in a no-holds-barred contest.

The English supporters heaved a sigh of relief two minutes before half time, as Nick Catlin’s s powerful drill-in deflected off a Dutch defender into their own goal.

Both teams were tied 1-1 at the break.

The Netherlands went on the offensive early in the second half and soon regained the lead through a short corner goal by Van der Weerden – his second of the game.

England regrouped splendidly and made the scoreline 2-2 six minutes later when an unmarked Barry Middleton fed a diving Ben Arnold who slotted home.

England went ahead for the first time in the match when Michael Hoare popped in at the top of the ‘D’ and unleashed a fierce shot giving England a 3–2 lead – it was Hoare’s maiden international goal.

The Dutch hit back through Constantijn Jonker.

England once again raced ahead (4-3) when Lewers fired a reverse stick shot into the circle, getting the faintest of deflections off a Dutch stick with nine minutes remaining.

It looked all over bar the shouting for the Netherlands, but Van der Weerden expertly saved their day with a final minute short corner strike to settle for a 4-4 draw.

The draw enables Netherlands to win the three-match series 1-0.

Earlier, in the second match Netherlands had forced a 3-3 draw with England.

The home side had lost the first match 1-2.

England’s performance in the NOW: Pensions Nations Cup has been a much improved one following a listless showing in the recently-held 18th Hamburg Masters hockey tournament.

At the 18th Hamburg Masters hockey tournament, England, were thumped 1-6 by Netherlands. In fact, the red-and-blue brigade were also hammered 1-6 by world number one and Olympic champions Germany before they pulled off a consolation 3-2 victory over Ireland to finish third in the four-team event.