FIH Pro League:Spain hit for six by England men while Red Sticks women lose out to Matla winner 

As the Indian men’s team left for South Africa to start its campaign in the third edition of the FIH Pro League, debutants England made a flying start at Valencia in Spain, defeating the hosts 6-1.

India is scheduled to play debutants France and South Africa next week. Debutants Indian women already made it a winning start with a double against China in Muscat early this week.

The Estadio Betero in Valencia provided the perfect conditions for two FIH Hockey Pro League matches featuring the host nation Spain as it took on the challenge of FIH Hockey Pro League newcomers England men and the mighty force of the Netherlands women in the first of its two matches. 

Valencia proved a fruitful hunting ground for the visiting sides as first England men showed pace and imagination to outperform its Spanish rivals and then the Netherlands women wore down  a spirited home team to win 1-0. The three points allowed the Dutch women, now under the leadership of Jami Mülders, to regain its position at the top of the FIH Hockey Pro League table.

England men began its first foray into the FIH Hockey Pro League with a display of aggressive, attacking hockey as they beat hosts Spain 6-1. 

Player of the match David Condon spoke of the ‘aggressive and open style of play’, that his team showed for the majority of this match.

On paper these are two very closely-matched teams. In nine previous encounters, the results showed three wins apiece, with three draws. This match was a very different affair as England showed a clinical finish that Max Caldas’s team lacked. 

The first quarter was goalless as the two teams tested each other, before one of six debutants in an England shirt – Duncan Scott – opened the scoring with a finely taken penalty corner.

David Condon doubled the score in the latter stages of the quarter and then two goals in the third quarter from captain Zach Wallace and James Oats put the game effectively out of Spain’s reach. 

Condon scored a fifth and then a lovely interchange between Wallace and the experienced Phil Roper created an opportunity for David Goodchild to fire home. 

Spain scored a consolation goal through Ignacio Rodriguez, but the Red Sticks were unable to repeat some of its earlier Pro League recoveries. 

Speaking after the game David Condon said: ‘We haven’t been together that long as a squad but in some ways that allowed us to play with freedom. We set out to play aggressive hockey and that was what we did.’

In the women’s match between Spain and the Netherlands, a single goal from the reliable goal machine Frederique Matla, made the difference.

While Anne Veenendaal in the Dutch goal didn’t have to make a save, this was far from a walk over by the reigning FIH Hockey Pro League, World Cup and Olympic champions.

A combination of a hard-working defence and a well-structured midfield saw Spain keep the Dutch at bay for large parts of the game. This was also a Netherlands team that didn’t seem to hit top gear for much of the match.

Both sides fielded a number of inexperienced players and Player of the Match Maria Verschoor referred to the fact the players were still getting to know each other, which would explain the breakdown of many attacking moves that would usually end in a Dutch barrage against an opposition’s goal.

The winning goal, scored in the third quarter, was a case of Matla showing her forward’s instincts. The ball bounced clear and Matla struck it goal wards. Clara Ycart, who had played a strong game in defence, was unfortunate to turn it past Melanie Garcia in the Spanish goal. 

Speaking after the game, Player of the Match Maria Verschoor, who had played an intelligent and understated role at the heart of the Dutch midfield, said: ‘I am really happy to be on the pitch with the team. We needed to get used to each other. It was a good match to get started with.”

FIH Hockey Pro League: Results

Friday, February 4 – Valencia (Spain)

Men’s match

Spain 1-6 England

Player of the Match: David Condon (England)

Women’s match 

Spain 0-1 Netherlands 

Player of the Match: Maria Verschoor (the Netherlands)

FIH Pro League

Spain hit for six by England men while Red Sticks women lose out to Matla winner 

As the Indian men’s team left for South Africa to start its campaign in the third edition of the FIH Pro League, debutants England made a flying start at Valencia in Spain, defeating the hosts 6-1.

India is scheduled to play debutants France and South Africa next week. Debutants Indian women already made it a winning start with a double against China in Muscat early this week.

The Estadio Betero in Valencia provided the perfect conditions for two FIH Hockey Pro League matches featuring the host nation Spain as it took on the challenge of FIH Hockey Pro League newcomers England men and the mighty force of the Netherlands women in the first of its two matches. 

Valencia proved a fruitful hunting ground for the visiting sides as first England men showed pace and imagination to outperform its Spanish rivals and then the Netherlands women wore down  a spirited home team to win 1-0. The three points allowed the Dutch women, now under the leadership of Jami Mülders, to regain its position at the top of the FIH Hockey Pro League table.

England men began its first foray into the FIH Hockey Pro League with a display of aggressive, attacking hockey as they beat hosts Spain 6-1. 

Player of the match David Condon spoke of the ‘aggressive and open style of play’, that his team showed for the majority of this match.

On paper these are two very closely-matched teams. In nine previous encounters, the results showed three wins apiece, with three draws. This match was a very different affair as England showed a clinical finish that Max Caldas’s team lacked. 

The first quarter was goalless as the two teams tested each other, before one of six debutants in an England shirt – Duncan Scott – opened the scoring with a finely taken penalty corner.

David Condon doubled the score in the latter stages of the quarter and then two goals in the third quarter from captain Zach Wallace and James Oats put the game effectively out of Spain’s reach. 

Condon scored a fifth and then a lovely interchange between Wallace and the experienced Phil Roper created an opportunity for David Goodchild to fire home. 

Spain scored a consolation goal through Ignacio Rodriguez, but the Red Sticks were unable to repeat some of its earlier Pro League recoveries. 

Speaking after the game David Condon said: ‘We haven’t been together that long as a squad but in some ways that allowed us to play with freedom. We set out to play aggressive hockey and that was what we did.’

In the women’s match between Spain and the Netherlands, a single goal from the reliable goal machine Frederique Matla, made the difference.

While Anne Veenendaal in the Dutch goal didn’t have to make a save, this was far from a walk over by the reigning FIH Hockey Pro League, World Cup and Olympic champions.

A combination of a hard-working defence and a well-structured midfield saw Spain keep the Dutch at bay for large parts of the game. This was also a Netherlands team that didn’t seem to hit top gear for much of the match.

Both sides fielded a number of inexperienced players and Player of the Match Maria Verschoor referred to the fact the players were still getting to know each other, which would explain the breakdown of many attacking moves that would usually end in a Dutch barrage against an opposition’s goal.

The winning goal, scored in the third quarter, was a case of Matla showing her forward’s instincts. The ball bounced clear and Matla struck it goal wards. Clara Ycart, who had played a strong game in defence, was unfortunate to turn it past Melanie Garcia in the Spanish goal. 

Speaking after the game, Player of the Match Maria Verschoor, who had played an intelligent and understated role at the heart of the Dutch midfield, said: ‘I am really happy to be on the pitch with the team. We needed to get used to each other. It was a good match to get started with.”

FIH Hockey Pro League: Results

Friday, February 4 – Valencia (Spain)

Men’s match

Spain 1-6 England

Player of the Match: David Condon (England)

Women’s match 

Spain 0-1 Netherlands 

Player of the Match: Maria Verschoor (the Netherlands)

Spain hit for six by England men while Red Sticks women lose out to Matla winner 

As the Indian men’s team left for South Africa to start its campaign in the third edition of the FIH Pro League, debutants England made a flying start at Valencia in Spain, defeating the hosts 6-1.

India is scheduled to play debutants France and South Africa next week. Debutants Indian women already made it a winning start with a double against China in Muscat early this week.

The Estadio Betero in Valencia provided the perfect conditions for two FIH Hockey Pro League matches featuring the host nation Spain as it took on the challenge of FIH Hockey Pro League newcomers England men and the mighty force of the Netherlands women in the first of its two matches. 

Valencia proved a fruitful hunting ground for the visiting sides as first England men showed pace and imagination to outperform its Spanish rivals and then the Netherlands women wore down  a spirited home team to win 1-0. The three points allowed the Dutch women, now under the leadership of Jami Mülders, to regain its position at the top of the FIH Hockey Pro League table.

England men began its first foray into the FIH Hockey Pro League with a display of aggressive, attacking hockey as they beat hosts Spain 6-1. 

Player of the match David Condon spoke of the ‘aggressive and open style of play’, that his team showed for the majority of this match.

On paper these are two very closely-matched teams. In nine previous encounters, the results showed three wins apiece, with three draws. This match was a very different affair as England showed a clinical finish that Max Caldas’s team lacked. 

The first quarter was goalless as the two teams tested each other, before one of six debutants in an England shirt – Duncan Scott – opened the scoring with a finely taken penalty corner.

David Condon doubled the score in the latter stages of the quarter and then two goals in the third quarter from captain Zach Wallace and James Oats put the game effectively out of Spain’s reach. 

Condon scored a fifth and then a lovely interchange between Wallace and the experienced Phil Roper created an opportunity for David Goodchild to fire home. 

Spain scored a consolation goal through Ignacio Rodriguez, but the Red Sticks were unable to repeat some of its earlier Pro League recoveries. 

Speaking after the game David Condon said: ‘We haven’t been together that long as a squad but in some ways that allowed us to play with freedom. We set out to play aggressive hockey and that was what we did.’

In the women’s match between Spain and the Netherlands, a single goal from the reliable goal machine Frederique Matla, made the difference.

While Anne Veenendaal in the Dutch goal didn’t have to make a save, this was far from a walk over by the reigning FIH Hockey Pro League, World Cup and Olympic champions.

A combination of a hard-working defence and a well-structured midfield saw Spain keep the Dutch at bay for large parts of the game. This was also a Netherlands team that didn’t seem to hit top gear for much of the match.

Both sides fielded a number of inexperienced players and Player of the Match Maria Verschoor referred to the fact the players were still getting to know each other, which would explain the breakdown of many attacking moves that would usually end in a Dutch barrage against an opposition’s goal.

The winning goal, scored in the third quarter, was a case of Matla showing her forward’s instincts. The ball bounced clear and Matla struck it goal wards. Clara Ycart, who had played a strong game in defence, was unfortunate to turn it past Melanie Garcia in the Spanish goal. 

Speaking after the game, Player of the Match Maria Verschoor, who had played an intelligent and understated role at the heart of the Dutch midfield, said: ‘I am really happy to be on the pitch with the team. We needed to get used to each other. It was a good match to get started with.”

FIH Hockey Pro League: Results

Friday, February 4 – Valencia (Spain)

Men’s match

Spain 1-6 England

Player of the Match: David Condon (England)

Women’s match 

Spain 0-1 Netherlands 

Player of the Match: Maria Verschoor (the Netherlands)