The Dutch hockey players started the world championship with a win over Ireland. In the Wagener stadium, the formation of national coach Jamilon Mülders won 5-1. Frédérique Matla gave the Netherlands the lead at the start of the second quarter. She used a penalty shot after a serious foul on Maria Verschoor.
The favorite went further in the third quarter. Yibbi Jansen scored from a penalty corner. However, Ireland came back quite unexpectedly, Roisin Upton scored with a Dutch stick. Sabine Plönissen, however, recovered the margin of two hits by hitting hard from a penalty corner. Then Matla was allowed to shoot another penalty shot, this time after Felice Albers had fallen. In the last quarter, Verschoor quickly made it 5-1 with a nice backhand.
In the group stage, the Orange squad also plays against Germany and Chile. Earlier in the day, Germany beat Chile 4-1. The organization of the event is in the hands of the Netherlands and Spain.
Netherlands – Ireland was a replay of the final in London of the world championship from four years ago, well won by the Orange. The Netherlands also became world champion in 2014, in The Hague.
