Netherlands Edge Belgium to Reach Women’s Hockey World Cup Final

The FIH Hockey World Cup has left co-hosts the Netherlands and Belgium in sharply contrasting moods. While the Netherlands has every reason to celebrate the performances of its men’s and women’s teams, Belgium has been left disappointed.

In the first women’s semifinal, the Netherlands defeated Belgium 1-0 before a packed crowd at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, securing a place in the championship match after a fast-paced and closely contested encounter.

The match could have gone either way, but the Dutch effectively executed their strategy. After taking the lead late in the first half, they defended resolutely to keep Belgium scoreless.

Belgium’s hopes of winning a title in either the men’s or women’s competition have now ended. Its men’s team will face India in the seventh-place playoff on Friday, while the women fell one victory short of reaching the gold medal match.

The Netherlands has an impressive record in the Women’s Hockey World Cup, having won the trophy nine times, in 1974, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1990, 2006, 2014, 2018 and 2022. The Dutch have also finished runners-up four times, in 1981, 1998, 2002 and 2010.

With the victory over Belgium, the Netherlands advanced to the World Cup final for the eighth consecutive time.

Belgium, meanwhile, has never won the Women’s Hockey World Cup. Earlier in the day, India defeated two-time champion Germany 3-1 to secure fifth place, its best finish since placing fourth at the inaugural World Cup in 1974.

Australia, which won the tournament in 1994 and 1998, and Argentina, the champion in 2002 and 2010, are the only other countries to have captured the Women’s Hockey World Cup title.

Frederique Matla scored the decisive goal for the Netherlands in the 28th minute. The goal followed an excellent move initiated by captain Marijn Veen, with Matla breaking through the Belgian defense and finding the target.

Belgium created several scoring opportunities, including four penalty corners, two in each half, but could not overcome the disciplined Dutch defense.

The Belgians appeared to have equalized in the 55th minute, but the goal was disallowed following a video review because of an infringement inside the circle, dealing another setback to the Belgian players.

Belgium withdrew its goalkeeper and introduced an additional outfield player for the final three minutes, but the move did not produce an equalizer.

The Netherlands will face the winner of the Argentina-Australia semifinal in the championship match on August 29 at Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen. The men’s final will be played in Wavre, Belgium, on August 30.

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