The Netherlands remain on course for top spot in the women’s Olympic Pool A but they were left frustrated by New Zealand who grabbed a 1-1 draw today in the fourth game of their respective campaigns.
The goal came from Kayla Whitelock with a minute remaining. Reflecting on her stirke, she said: “I don’t think Joyce [Sombroek] has let in too many goals at an Olympic Games so it’s always good to get one past any team, let alone the number one team in the world.
“I think we can still have a bit more composure in that attacking circle and execute a bit better. It will come and hopefully it comes at the right time.”
For the Netherlands’ Lidewij Welten, it was tough to take the concession of the late goal after what they felt was a decent performance in the early stages.
“We really don’t like to draw because we were playing actually better, especially the first half. It was really not necessary [to conced].
“In the end, they were pressing us and we just kept playing backwards and backwards. We should stand up and keep playing the game we played in the first half.
“I think we need to keep in our head that we need to keep playing hockey and not be chickens, actually.”
Also today, Spain’s hopes of reaching the knock-out stages were given a big boost as Korea and China drew 0-0. It means that if Spain can beat Korea on Saturday and China don’t win against New Zealand, then a quarter-final place could be theirs.