2022 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup: The Netherlands and Argentina progress to the championship match

The Netherlands overcame a spirited performance from Australia. At the same time, Argentina won against Germany after a hard-fought clash to advance to the final match of the 2022 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup.

Netherlands vs Australia

The Australian squad launched a spirited fight against eight-time champions, the Netherlands. The opening quarter aggressively started with the Dutch side taking complete control of the possession but failing to convert due to poor passes.

Eva de Goede, Lidewij Welten and Pien Sanders started the second quarter with an excellent display of smooth flowing passes. However, they failed to break past the defensive brilliance of Stephanie Kershaw and Karri Somerville. Australia launched a counterattack as Rosie Malone took control and pushed towards the Dutch circle. She took a high-level shot, but the Dutch goalkeeper reacted just on time to stop Australia from gaining a lead. 

The Netherlands earned a penalty corner in the ending moments of the first half. Laurien Leurink took the shot, but Renee Taylor intercepted the ball near the far post before clearing it away. The first half end ended with neither side being able to score the opening goal.

The Australian defence held firm in front of a barrage of penalty corner flicks from the Dutch squad to keep the score level. They earned their first penalty corner of the match in the 38th minute, but Australia failed to move ahead as the penalty corner flick by Penny Squibb was deflected over the goal post in the nick of time by Maria Verschoor. The Netherlands finally got the breakthrough when a solo run by Lidewij Welten earned them their 11th penalty corner attempt. Frederique Matla fired the ball past the Australian goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram into the top right corner of the goal. The third quarter ended with a 1-0 lead for the Netherlands.

Australia launched several attempts to equalise the score in the final quarter. However, the Dutch squad went on the defensive and kept the Australian attackers at bay. Australia won a penalty corner with just one minute left on the clock but failed the convert. The lone goal by Frederique Matla secured the victory for the Netherlands as they aim to win the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup for the ninth time.

Argentina vs Germany

Germany had an excellent start as Granitzki Hanna slotted the ball into the net with a perfect penalty corner flick just one minute into the game to make it 0-1. However, Gorzelany Agustina levelled the score for Argentina with just two minutes left in the first quarter. The goal made her the top goalscorer, with seven goals scored throughout the tournament.

Albertarrio Agustina added another goal for Argentina in the 27th minute after receiving a well-placed pass from Sofia Toccalino. The first half ended with a 2-1 lead for Argentina. The South American side tried to continue their winning momentum to tighten their grip on the match. The German defence held firm and maintained their composure to regain control. Anne Schroeder ran towards the Argentina circle and fired at the goal. Charlotte Stapenhorst picked the ball mid-air and sent it past the Argentine goalkeeper Belen Succi to level the score again. The final whistle rang with both squads tied 2-2, sending the match into a shootout.

Thome Delfina, Alonso Agostina, Sanchez Rocio and Albertarrio Agustina scored in the shootout for Argentina. In contrast, only Schröder Anne and Zimmermann Sonja could score for Germany. Argentina emerged victorious in the shootout with a 4-2, securing a spot in the championship match.