Muscat: The Netherlands showcased a clinical performance to secure victory and emerge as the champions in the inaugural FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup held in Muscat, Oman. The Dutch team, known as Oranje, added another prestigious title to their illustrious collection, which includes Olympic gold, world senior and junior titles, Indoor World Cup gold, and the FIH Hockey Pro League title.
In a pulsating final against India, the Netherlands displayed a devastating first-half performance, surging to a 6-0 lead. Despite India’s improved performance in the second half, winning that period 2-1, they couldn’t overcome the early damage, and the match concluded with a 7-2 victory for the Netherlands.
Bente van der Veldt played a crucial role in the final, scoring two goals to take her personal tally to 15, the second-highest in the tournament. Janneke van de Venne, reflecting on the Dutch success, expressed the team’s pride and highlighted the tough journey they had undertaken.
In the bronze medal match, Poland exhibited a strong structure and claimed a 4-2 victory against South Africa. Amelia Katerla was the star for Poland, scoring all four goals and contributing significantly to their third-place finish. Katerla emphasized the significance of the tournament for Poland, considering their focus on hockey 5s and indoor formats.
Earlier in the day, the Challenger Trophy, designed for teams that didn’t advance to the quarter-finals, saw the USA emerge victorious by defeating Namibia.
The inaugural FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup concluded with thrilling matches, showcasing the prowess and competitive spirit of the participating teams.