MUSCAT: The Netherlands thumped India 7-2 to clinch the first ever FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup crown in a one-sided final at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat here on Saturday night. Netherlands led 6-0 at half-time.
Chief guest for the final, Dr Madiha bin Ahmed al Shaibani, Minister of Education, handed over the trophy to the winners and medals to the runner-ups and third-placed team in the concluding ceremony.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram, Basil bin Ahmed al Rawas, Undersecretary for Sports and Youth at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and Oman Hockey Association Chairman Dr Marwan bin Juma al Juma were present. In the final, the Netherlands dominated the first half and pumped in six goals past a hapless Indian defence.
Janneke van de Venne netted the opener in the second minute itself and Bente van der Veldt made it 3-0 with twin strikes in the fourth and eighth minutes. Lana Kalse hit the fourth goal in the 11th minute while Sosha Benninga scored the fifth and Janneke found the target for a second time to make it a commendable 6-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, Indian women earned their first goal through Jyoti Chhatri in the 20th minute and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal made it 6-2 in the 23rd minute. However Lana Kalse stamped the Netherlands’ authority in the final to net their seventh goal with three minutes to go.
Earlier, Poland claimed the third spot after beating South Africa 4-2 in a tense encounter. Amelia Katerla was the star of the match with all four goals (5th, 8th, 16 – Challenge, 18 – Challenge) for Poland coming from her stick.
For South Africa, Dirkie Chamberlain made it 3-1 in the 18th minute and Toni Marks pulled another in the 24th minute to make it 4-2. Further South African efforts were withstood by a solid Polish defence. South Africa got a challenge kick in the 27th minute but it was saved by Poland goalkeeper Daria Skoraszweska as Poland prevailed 4-2 to take the third place.
In the other placement matches, Uruguay beat Malaysia 8-4 to take the fifth spot. Uruguay led 3-2 at half-time. Ukraine thrashed New Zealand 6-0 to finish seventh. Ukraine led 3-0 at the half-time.
In the 9th-10th play-off, USA prevailed over Namibia 2-0 after leading 1-0 at the break. Australia took the 11th spot after thumping Fiji 8-3. Australia led 5-2 at the break.
Thailand edged Paraguay 5-3 to finish 13th after leading 2-1 at half-time.
Hosts Oman finished last after going down to Zambia 11-3. Zambia led 7-1 at the break.
On Friday night, India outclassed South Africa 6-3 in the second semifinal while the Netherlands overcame Poland 3-1 in the first semifinal. For India, Dhekale Akshata Abaso (7th), Mariana Kujur (11th), Mumtaz Khan (21st), Rutaja Dadaso Pisal (23rd), Jyoti Chhatri (25th) and Ajmina Kujur (26th minute) were the scorers.
South Africa’s goals were netted by Teshawn De La Rey (5th), Toni Marks (8th) and Dirkie Chamberlain (29th minute).
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