Bloemendaal has taken the first step towards prolonging the hockey title via shoot-outs (3-3 after regular playing time). In the Amsterdamse Bos play-offs offered debutant Pinoké more than enough resistance. The Amstelveners had more right to the victory, but a goal just before time and a bad series in the shoot-outs brought Bloemendaal the victory.
In an intense initial phase, there appeared to be no nerves on the part of Pinoké. The Amstelveners are in the final of the play-offs for the first time in history and were able to compete well with reigning national champion Bloemendaal.
However, the visitors took the lead after four minutes via Thierry Brinkman, but Pinoké then had the upper hand. That also paid off through Alexander Hendrickx and Niklas Wellen, because they turned the game around: 2-1. Tim Swaen equalized Bloemendaal from a penalty corner before half time. Pinoké then had opportunities to extend the score, because Bloemendaal was not in the best shape.
Coach Jesse Mahieu’s team continued cheerfully after the break and was the better team at home. Halfway through the third quarter, Hendrickx gave the home team a great shot from a penalty corner at 3-2. Bloemendaal insisted and was able to get next to Pinoké via a number of penalty corners, but failed to do so.
Penalty corner and shoot-outs
Bloemendaal tried to force the equalizer in the final phase, but there were no real great opportunities. In the last minute, Bloemendaal got a dubious penalty corner, which then went to Swaen, but Arthur van Doren: 3-3. As a result, shoot-outs followed in which Pinoké missed the first three attempts. Bloemendaal had three specialists with Swaen, Brinkman and Florian Fuchs and they hit everything. After the 3-3 draw
Bloemendaal smells the national title thanks to the 3-2 victory. In the best-of-three series, the Bloemendalers have to win one more time to extend the national title. Pinoké will have to win both games to win the championship for the first time in history. The next meeting is Saturday at ‘t Kopje in Bloemendaal.