Difficult victory for hockey players over Spain in the Pro League
The Dutch hockey players have booked a difficult victory over Spain in the Pro League. The Olympic champion won 1-0 in Valencia. Frédérique Matla was the scorer of the only goal.
It was Orange’s third game in the new country competition and the first with interim national coach Jamilon Mülders on the bench. The German is the temporary successor of the departed Alyson Annan. The Dutch team won the two matches against Belgium last fall.
Mülders’ team was missing Felice Albers. Earlier this week, she broke her left thumb in a fall during training.
The last time the Netherlands and Spain met was at last year’s European Championship in Amstelveen. The Orange then won 7-1. It wasn’t that easy on Friday. The Netherlands struggled through the match. The goal came in the 42nd minute. Matla tapped in a cross from Marloes Keetels from close range. The attacker made her 65th international goal.
Matla was less happy in the penalty corners. The Orange got six, but none led to success.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday in Valencia.