Frederique Matla. Who else helped the Dutch women’s hockey team to a place in the final of the world championship. The top scorer of Orange and HC Den Bosch made the only goal in the third quarter of the semi-final against Australia. The game was finished in Terrassa, Spain.
Despite the heat, the Netherlands and Australia made it a fascinating meeting. Matla hit the ball from the eleventh penalty corner of the Dutch team.
‘Fighting for every meter’
“I am proud and happy for the entire team that we made it to the final,” said the attacker at Ziggo Sport afterwards. “It was a tough pot, in which we gave away very little and fought for every meter. That I was the only one to score? I’m not concerned with that. But it’s nice that that one goal was enough. We needed that goal to gain a little more confidence,” said Matla.
For the 25-year-old striker, who has not yet managed to distinguish himself this World Cup, it was only her third goal of the tournament. She was accurate twice in the opening game against Ireland, but failed to score in the three subsequent games.
Double party for Lidewij Welten
For Lidewij Welten, her teammate at HC Den Bosch, the victory meant a double reason to be happy. The often inimitable star player turned 32 this Saturday.
Opponent of the Dutch title favorite in the final will be the winner of the game between Germany and Argentina, which will be played later this evening. The final battle starts on Sunday evening at half past nine. The Orange had previously qualified for the semifinals in their own country by winning the three group matches and the quarterfinals.
It is for the thirteenth time in total and the seventh time in a row that the Dutch hockey players will play for world gold. They are also title holders. With a win, the ninth world title is a fact.