Netherlands, Argentina women set for Hockey World Cup final rematch

The Netherlands and Argentina will meet in the FIH Hockey World Cup final on Saturday after both secured hard-fought semifinal victories on Thursday.

The clash is a rematch four years in the making after the two sides met in the last World Cup final in 2022, where the Dutch prevailed.

Belgium were very much the underdogs running out for their semi-final showdown against three-time defending champions the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

But they came out firing, taking the challenge to the Dutch in an evenly contested opening quarter.

It was on the counterattack that the home side eventually took the lead just before half-time, Frédérique Matla producing a one-handed deflection after a slick build-up to put her team in front in the 28^th minute.

Belgium earned a penalty corner with nine seconds remaining in the half, but couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity to equalise.

After another close-fought half and with time running out, Belgium thought they had scored the equaliser when a scorcher from 18-year-old Famke van Heel found the back of the net, but it was ruled out on review, much to the relief of the Dutch crowd.

And the Netherlands held on to book a place in their eighth straight World Cup final.

Dutch Player of the Match Xan de Waard said afterwards: “I think it was a very hard-fought game. I think Belgium did a great job by putting us under a lot of pressure… But I think we defended really well until the last minute, so my emotions are very happy now… If it's really difficult, then you have to be at your top level, and I really enjoy it.”

ARGENTINA DOWN AUSSIES

In the second semifinal, a tightly contested first half produced few chances at either end, with just five circle entries each and one penalty corner apiece.

The Argentinians looked more threatening in the third quarter but still couldn’t break the deadlock. Australia also produced a promising shot on goal, but goalkeeper Cristina Cosentino was up to the task.

The breakthrough finally came for Las Leonas from a penalty corner variation, with Julieta Jankunas adding the finishing touch in the 47^th minute.

That had the vocal Argentinian contingent in the crowd in full voice – and there was more for them to celebrate when Cosentino kept out two Australian penalty corner attempts midway through the final period.

The Hockeyroos came within a few millimetres of finding the equaliser with just 17 seconds remaining, but the ball missed captain Grace Stewart's outstretched stick on its way into goal from outside the circle, sending Argentina through to their seventh World Cup final.

Argentina’s Player of the Match, Sofia Cairo, said afterwards: “It's a dream. I'm really very happy because this team deserve it.” As for coming up against the Dutch in the final, she added: “It's going to be a hard match, but Argentina is going to do better, and so we need to keep going.”

INDIA FINISH FIFTH

Earlier in the day, India's women achieved their best result at the FIH Hockey World Cup since 1974 by securing fifth place with a 3-1 victory over Germany.

Both teams struggled to find the finishing touch in a first half that lacked energy and remained goalless.

The breakthrough finally came in the 43^rd minute when Ishika fired India ahead.

And their second goal came just a minute later with Navneet Kaur scoring from a penalty corner.

Kaur then struck again at the start of the final period, calmly lifting her second and India’s third into the roof of the net.

Germany grabbed a consolation goal through Lynn Krings with just over a minute to go, but India had done enough to wrap up a solid win.

SPAIN BEAT CHINA IN SHOOTOUT

Spain secured seventh place after a shootout victory over China. The Spanish took the lead seconds before the first-quarter hooter when Marta Segu’s mis-hit had enough on it to find its way into goal.

China then levelled with just two seconds left in the second quarter, with Anhui Yu firing a powerful reverse strike from the edge of the circle to make it 1-1 at half-time.

China dominated the third quarter but couldn’t convert that pressure, while Spanish goalkeeper Clara Pérez was outstanding in the final period as the Chinese pushed for a winner.

Neither side could break the deadlock, sending the match to a shootout, which Spain eventually won 1-0 after 11 unsuccessful attempts between the two teams.

ENGLAND OVERCOME THE USA

Earlier, England claimed ninth place with a 3-1 win over the USA, with all four goals coming from penalty corners.

Elizabeth Neal opened the scoring for England before Ryleigh Heck slotted in the equaliser in the second quarter.

But Lily Owsley put the English back in front just five minutes later from a clever penalty corner variation.

And a dominant second half was rewarded in the 55^th minute when Tessa Howard added England’s third.

JAPAN EDGE SCOTLAND

Japan held off a late Scotland fightback to win 2-1 and finish in 11^th place.

Miyu Suzuki opened the scoring from a penalty stroke in the 11^th minute before Akari Nakagomi deflected home in the final quarter.

After taking off their keeper, the Scots pulled one back through Ellie Mackenzie from a penalty corner with just over two minutes left, and Japan then survived another penalty corner with just 34 seconds on the clock to secure the victory.

IRELAND AND KIWIS FINISH WITH WINS

In the playoff for 13^th place, twin sisters Niamh and Michelle Carey combined to put Ireland ahead in the 14^th minute.

While South Africa created a few chances, mainly on the counterattack, they couldn’t find an equaliser, and Ireland held on for the win.

Meanwhile, two third-quarter goals from Chile saw them come from a goal down against New Zealand to lead heading into the final period.

But the Kiwis pulled one back from a penalty corner in the 50^th minute and then found the winner with just over three minutes remaining to secure a 3-2 win and 15^th place.

WOMEN

Result: Match 41 – 13/14^th (W)

South Africa 0 - 1 Ireland

Player of the match: Niamh Carey (IRE)

Umpires: Ayanna McClean (TTO), Sarah Wilson (SCO), Rawi Anbananthan (MAS-video)

Result: Match 42 – 15/16^th (W)

Chile 2 - 3 New Zealand

Player of the match: Emelia Surridge (NZL)

Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA), Rachel Williams (ENG), Tyler Klenk (CAN-video)

Result: Match 43 – 11/12^th (W)

Japan 2 - 1 Scotland

Player of the match: Akari Nakagomi (JPN)