Argentina’s girls made positive of their place at subsequent yr’s FIH Hockey World Cup with a 3-1 victory over China as FIH Hockey Professional League motion resumed in Antwerp, London and Berlin on Saturday.
Whereas the Netherlands girls – already certified together with co-hosts Belgium – will elevate the FIH Hockey Professional League title as soon as once more this season, the all-important qualifying spot was nonetheless up for grabs heading into Saturday’s matches. Nonetheless, Argentina’s win ensured they’ll not be caught by China or every other challengers, sealing their qualification in fashion.
Over in London, in a present of assist for FIH Range and Inclusion Day, Australia’s males took to the sphere sporting rainbow socks, simply as their girls’s facet had executed earlier within the day. The group staged a dramatic comeback from two targets right down to hold their title hopes alive, whereas Germany’s males can not catch the Dutch on the high of the desk after happening to Argentina in Berlin.
(Girls’s) Belgium 5 – 1 India
Belgium gave the house crowd in Antwerp loads to cheer about with an emphatic 5-1 win over India.
The house facet began with urgency and gained the primary penalty nook after simply 20 seconds. Nonetheless, it was India who scored from their first alternative within the sixth minute, Deepika’s drag flick deflecting off the primary runner to beat the goalkeeper. Some wonderful goalkeeping from each Savita and Elena Sotgiu saved it 1-0 for India at half time.
Belgium had dominated all of the stats within the first half, and so they stepped up their efforts to win 13 penalty corners within the second half alone. Hélène Brasseur equalised within the thirty seventh minute with a reverse stick strike off a broken-down penalty nook. Alix Marien then gave the Pink Panthers the lead along with her first senior worldwide purpose within the forty first, jabbing the ball over the road from a penalty nook because it threatened to trickle large from the preliminary save. Ambre Ballenghien added a drag flick, and Brasseur obtained her second with a penalty nook deflection from the p-spot. Charlotte Englebert then wrapped up the scoring, and the great win, with a penalty stroke.
Hélène Brasseur was named as participant of the match for Belgium and stated: “Proud of the win. Additionally, we performed some good hockey, so it was good to see… we saved urgent, we saved creating probabilities and getting PCs, so it’s good to see we saved searching.”
(Girls’s) England 0 – 1 Spain
Spain didn’t make the most of the alternatives they created, however did simply sufficient tor a 1-0 win over England in London.
England had their first shot inside 30 seconds, however Howard pulled it large and the house facet went on to endure a torrid half. Spain created loads of probabilities, however put two pictures over the crossbar. The English defended for lengthy intervals and just some wonderful goalkeeping from Sabbie Heesh saved it goalless at half time.
England once more managed to create an early likelihood within the second half, this time being denied by a pointy save from Clara Perez. They failed to say management although and Spain had been quickly launching their harmful assaults once more. The English manufactured one nice alternative, intercepting a poor cross out of defence and driving laborious on the circle to earn a penalty stroke, however Grace Balsdon pushed it agonisingly large. A purpose appeared inevitable for Spain, and it lastly got here from a penalty nook variation within the 51st minute, after Candela Mejias accomplished an excellent injector’s deflection to beat Heesh. England pulled their keeper off with 5 minutes to play, and so they had two pictures plus two penalty corners within the closing minute, however Spain held on for the win.
Spain’s Luciana Molina was named participant of the match and stated: “I’m actually blissful, actually grateful, this trophy is due to the group, it’s because of them.”
(Girls’s) Argentina 3 – 1 China
An elated Argentina got here from behind of their 3-1 win over China to safe their place on the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup.
Chen Yi obtained China off to an excellent begin along with her profitable penalty nook deflection from exterior the correct publish within the second minute. However Maria Ortiz hit again for Argentina, punting one in from scrappy ball within the goalmouth. Victoria Falasco then put Argentina forward within the 18th minute with an excellent deflection underneath enormous stress from the goalkeeper and a defender. Las Leonas had created the higher alternatives and deserved their 2-1 lead at half time, however the contest was removed from over.
China was the higher group by way of a goalless third quarter, however Cristina Cosentino in purpose for Argentina was alert to any risks and saved a clear sheet. The Chinese language didn’t make the most of their 6-2 penalty nook benefit within the match, and so they ended up pulling their goalkeeper off in a courageous try to discover a purpose. Julieta Jankunas had the ultimate phrase for Argentina within the 58th minute, although, slamming her reverse shot into the empty Chinese language internet to make sure the win.
Victoria Falasco of Argentina was named the participant of the match and stated: ” We expect it went very well. We’re very pleased with the best way that we performed. We performed our sport, and we’re blissful we certified for the World Cup.”
(Girls’s) Germany 4 – 0 Australia
Germany began their dwelling leg in Berlin with an important 4-0 victory over Australia, lifting themselves off the underside of the desk whereas they nonetheless have two video games in hand over England and India under them.
Each groups began with good intent, however Germany regarded the extra harmful on assault. The early likelihood fell to the house facet and Sara Strauss fired them forward within the sixth minute with a reverse strike from an acute angle. That ended the scoring for the primary half, however Die Danes appeared to be very a lot in management, main 1-0 on the break.
A few fast targets at the beginning of the second half gave Germany an enormous benefit. Lynn Krings doubled their lead within the thirty second minute, an Australian defender having no choice however to play at her threatening cross throughout purpose and knocking it underneath her personal goalkeeper. Sophia Schwabe added a 3rd purpose from open play three minutes later, displaying her starvation for targets by getting between a defender and the goalkeeper to attain a troublesome deflection.
The Hockeyroos almost pulled one again from a penalty nook, however Julia Sonntag obtained her outstretched proper foot to the ball and nudged it large. Jette Fleschütz then wrapped up the scoring with an excellent particular person purpose within the forty eighth minute, carrying the ball from her personal half and ending with a reverse strike.
Germany’s Jette Fleschütz was nominated the participant of the match and stated: “I feel it was essential that we saved combating within the second half and we lastly scored some targets, as a result of after the final video games it was very irritating and that’s why I’m very blissful.”
(Males’s) Eire 2 – 4 Spain
Spain got here from behind twice in a nail-biting 4-2 win over a resolute Eire.
The Pink Sticks fully dominated the primary half, but it surely was Eire who snatched a third-minute purpose, John McKee sliding in for a high-quality deflection from open play. Bruno Avila restored parity for Spain together with his Fifteenth-minute drag flick, and Spain did all the pieces however rating throughout the remainder of the half. Goalkeeper Luke Roleston led a courageous Irish defensive effort to maintain them in rivalry, and Lee Cole gave them an unlikely 2-1 lead together with his Twenty eighth-minute penalty stroke following a uncommon spell of Irish assault.
A quiet third quarter appeared to fly by after the joy of the primary half, and Nicolas Alvarez finally levelled the scores with a well-taken discipline purpose at the beginning of the ultimate quarter. Spain left issues very late, however they lastly buried the Irish with two targets within the 58th minute. Alvarez grabbed his second discipline purpose with a deflection in entrance of purpose, and Pepe Cunill added a drag flick to verify the win.
The participant of the match was awarded to Spain’s Nicolas Alvarez who stated: “I feel we didn’t play very properly, however’s it’s an necessary win if you play badly.”
(Males’s) Belgium 6 – 3 India
Belgium produced some magical targets in a complete 6-3 win in opposition to India in Antwerp.
The Belgians earned a penalty nook contained in the opening 19 seconds and Arthur van Doren fired them into the lead together with his rebound shot. India dominated the second quarter with out taking any reward, and Alexander Hendrickx made it 2-0 to Belgium together with his Twenty eighth-minute drag flick.
India had been good within the third quarter and Dilpreet Singh halved the deficit within the thirty sixth minute, knocking in a penalty nook after it fell to him off the publish man. Mandeep Singh then made it 2-2 with a deflection from open play two minutes later.
The match was set for an exhilarating end, and it was Belgium who delivered with three fast targets. Tom Boon made an excellent cross from the baseline for Roman Duvekot to steer dwelling within the forty ninth minute. Victor Foubert then confirmed his sensational expertise, driving into the circle and popping the ball to Thibeau Stockbroekx for a tap-in on the again publish within the 53rd. Van Doren added a deflection from open play a minute later.
India refused to concede defeat, and Amit Rohidas gave them a glimmer of hope when he crashed a drag flick dwelling within the 56th minute. They pulled their goalkeeper off with 4 minutes remaining, however Belgium then put the outcome past doubt. Fittingly, it was Tom Boon who scored the winner to turn out to be the highest goal-scorer in FIH Hockey Professional League historical past, surpassing the report beforehand held by Harmanpreet Singh.
The participant of the match was awarded to Belgium’s Arthur van Doren who stated: “I feel our efficiency, we had some good phases of play, but additionally very poor. It’s clearly a mix of the standard of India that does excellent stuff on the ball, and we endure somewhat bit. I feel ultimately we turned it round and that’s what issues.”
(Males’s) England 3– 4 Australia
Australia’s title hopes had been on the ropes at two targets down, however Blake Govers led the comeback with a hat-trick to beat England 4-3 in London.
There have been wonderful alternatives for each groups within the opening 90 seconds, Australia successful two penalty corners and England getting a shot from open play. Cooper Burns gave Australia the lead within the fourth minute, displaying fast arms within the circle to get his shot away. Zach Wallace then pulled one again with a scrappy discipline purpose within the thirteenth minute. England discovered the next gear within the second quarter, probing within the Australian circle and forcing Jed Snowden to work laborious in purpose. Henry Croft scored on debut for England when he picked up an aerial on the p-spot and located the purpose with three defenders making an attempt to close him down from all angles. A superb glove save from James Mazarelo in open play and a frantic goal-line scramble off a penalty nook saved England in entrance, and Sam Hooper made it 3-1 on the stroke of half time with a scorching drag flick.
Australia had been a lot better within the second half, helped by England receiving two inexperienced playing cards within the third quarter. Govers pulled one again for the Kookaburras together with his Thirty ninth-minute drag flick, which deflected off a defender’s glove to beat Mazarelo. He then levelled the scores within the forty sixth minute with an unlimited strike from a penalty nook, and accomplished his hat-trick with a diving deflection from open play a minute later to safe the essential three factors.
The participant of the match went to Australia’s Blake Govers, who stated: “England at house is at all times a tricky match. They actually caught it to us within the first half, so we had been fortunate to get our stuff collectively and get just a few fast targets within the second half.”
(Males’s) Germany 2 – 3 Argentina
Argentina fired in three targets in a productive third quarter, combating again from two targets down for a 3-2 win over hosts Germany in Berlin.
The Germans began properly and Michel Struthoff put them forward when his slip from the baseline deflected off a defender within the seventh minute. Paul-Philipp Kaufmann then doubled the lead with a deflection from a penalty nook variation to the correct facet. Argentina had been gifted a free shot at purpose when the German defenders stepped out of place, believing a free hit had been awarded to them, however goalkeeper Alexander Stadler one way or the other made the save to maintain it 2-0 at half time.
Argentina commanded the third quarter, and Bautista Capurro pulled one again for them within the thirty sixth minute with an excellent deflection from open play. Lucio Mendez then equalised within the forty third minute, receiving the ball within the circle behind the defence and roofing his reverse shot. A minute later, Tomas Domene fired Argentina forward, drifting into area for an virtually an identical strike to that of Mendez. The Germans survived a barrage of Argentinian penalty corners in the course of the fourth quarter, and the match led to dramatic style. Germany gained a penalty nook after a referral with time up on the clock, however Nicolas Della Torre on the publish tickled the shot large to safe the total three factors.
Argentina’s Bautista Capurro was named participant of the match and stated: “We all know that matches with Germany are like this, so I feel we did nice.”
Present Hero Prime Scorers:
Girls – Yibbi Jansen (NED) (17 targets)
Males – Tom Boon (BEL) (19 targets)
To see the present standings within the FIH Hockey Professional League, click on right here.
FIH Hockey Professional League – 21 June 2025
Sportcentrum Wilrijkse Plein-Antwerp, Belgium (BEL)
Girls
Outcome: Match 59 (W)
Belgium 5 – 1 India
Participant of the match: Hélène Brasseur (BEL)
Umpires: Kristy Robertson (AUS), Ayanna McClean (TTO), Marcin Grochal (POL-video)
Males
Outcome: Match 59 (M)
Eire 2 – 4 Spain
Participant of the match: Nicolas Alvarez (ESP)
Umpires: Aleisha Neumann (AUS), Paul Walker (ENG), Tim Meissner (GER-video)
Outcome: Match 61 (M)
Belgium 6 – 3 India
Participant of the match: Arthur van Doren (BEL)
Umpires: Tim Meissner (GER), Daniël Veerman (NED), Aleisha Neumann (AUS-video)
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London, United Kingdom (UK)
Girls
Outcome: Match 58 (W)
England 0 – 1 Spain
Participant of the match: Luciana Molina (ESP)
Umpires: Harry Collinson (ENG), Lorijn De Kraker (NED), Ahmed Elsayed (EGY-video)
Males
Outcome: Match 60 (M)
England 3 – 4 Australia
Participant of the match: Blake Govers (AUS)
Umpires: Irene Presenqui (ARG), Raphaël Adrien (GER), Jonathan von Hoesslin (RSA-video)
Ernst Reuter Sportfeld, Berlin, Germany (GER)
Girls
Outcome: Match 57 (W)
Argentina 3 – 1 China
Participant of the match: Victoria Falasco (ARG)
Umpires: Jonathan von Hoesslin (RSA), Kamile Mockaityte (LTU), Clare Barwood (WAL-video)
Outcome: Match 60 (W)
Germany 4 – 0 Australia
Participant of the match: Jette Fleschütz (GER)
Umpires: Harry Collinson (ENG), Emi Yamada (JPN), Ayanna McClean (TTO-video)
Males
Outcome: Match 62 (M)
Germany 2 – 3 Argentina
Participant of the match: Bautista Capurro (ARG)
Umpires: Paul van den Assum (NED), Marcin Grochal (POL), Hideki Kinoshita (JPN-video)
