NOW: Pensions Nations Cup: Dutch men rally to hold England to 3-3 draw
Robbert Kemperman of The Netherlands (L) (Getty Images)
Olympic silver medallists Netherlands were pushed to the limit as they rallied from being two goals down to force a 3-3 draw with England in the second match of the NOW: Pensions Nations Cup in Wakefield.
England, who fought hard before losing the first match 1-2, started on a belligerent note. Vastly experienced Barry Middleton set up Tom Carson, who rattled the Dutch cage in the 12th minute – it was Carson’s second goal of the tournament.
With an extra spring in their strides after the early goal, the blue-and-red brigade repeatedly raided the Netherlands citadel, even as the latter buckled under pressure and started making needless defensive blunders.
England maintained sustained pressure to hold on to the solitary-goal lead at half-time. The Netherlands needed to summon desperate measures to bounce back into the contest and Rogier Hofman provided them some hope, slamming home to restore parity.
England regained the lead a few minutes later courtesy an own goal as the ball, which was struck across the circle into their ‘D’ was deflected in off a Dutch stick.
Carson gave English supporters plenty to rejoice about when he fired home a penalty corner goal – his second of the match and third of the tournament.
With twenty-five minutes remaining for the final hooter, the Dutch were staring down the barrel, trailing 1-3.
Robbert Kemperman exuded superb stickwork inside the circle and fed Hofman, who slotted the ball home to reduce the deficit 2-3.
The Dutch were alive and kicking when Constantijn Jonker equalised in the 61st minute, beating English goal-tender George Pinner all ends up.
The confidence of the Netherlands soared as they consistently attacked the English citadel, but the home side did well to keep them at bay for a 3-3 draw.
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 event.