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FIH Hockey World Cup: A fourth quarter Dutch blitzkrieg downs Kiwis
The Netherlands defeated New Zealand 5-1 at the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup, scoring three goals in a decisive fourth-quarter blitz.
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Prabhjot Paul Singh - Sun, 16, Aug 2026
- 14:26 EDT
- 23
Jonas de Geus / FIH_Hockey
A four-minute blitzkrieg by the pre-tournament favourites the Netherlands in the fourth and last quarter helped them to get past New Zealand 5-1 in the FIH World Cup for men before a sardine packed Wagener Stadium on Aug. 16.
Besides a brace by Tjep Hoedemakers and a goal apiece by Duco Telgenkamp, veteran Thiery Brinkman and Koen Bijen added to the Netherlands tally. James Hickson was the lone scorer for the Black Sticks.
After conceding an early goal, the Dutch were in their elements in the third and fourth quarters as they not only neutralised the Kiwis lead but went on pelting goals in a blitzkrieg that virtually grounded hard fighting Black Sticks.
It was the first game for both the Netherlands and New Zealand. And as the Netherlands went on scoring spree, the knowledgeable spectators in the stands heartily reciprocated every good move of their home heroes.
The Dutch delivered pulsating hockey, creating gaps and scoring randomly against otherwise solid defence that Kiwis had put up till the end of the third quarter when the game was evenly poised with the home team leading 2-1.
The complex of the game started changing at the start of the fourth and the final quarter.
Also read: FIH World Cup: India and China split points with a 2-2 draw
Wagener Stadium was all orange as a huge Aug. 16 crowd supporting the home team and tournament favourites, the Netherlands, filled every seat of the 10,000-strong “Stadion” as is a stadium called in the Dutch.
Only on Aug.15, India, also playing in its “saffron” (orange) jerseys, had beaten Wales 3-1.
On Aug.16, the second day of the tournament, it was Black Sticks vs Oranje.
Starting as favourites, the Netherlands got its first penalty corner in the 14th minute in what started as an evenly contested match. James Hickson surprised the Dutch defence by placing the ball safely into net from a hand shaking position in the 24th minute. New Zealand was up 1-0.
The Netherlands retaliated and forced its second penalty corner in the 25th minute. New Zealand went for VR and the decision was reversed. In the second half, Kiwis earned a penalty corner in the third minute followed by yet another penalty corner.
The Netherlands restored parity in a beautiful relay of passes that saw Tjep Hoedemakers giving the finishing touches to make the score 1-1 in the 35th minute. Elated at the equaliser, the Dutch became more penetrative and dangerous as they just missed forging ahead in a subsequent move.
There was no let-up in their efforts as they forced yet another penalty corner in the 41st minute. Their efforts bore fruit as they took the lead in the 41st minute through Duco Telgenkamp. After leading 2-1 at the end of third quarter, the Dutch were a completely transformed side in the fourth and final quarter.
In the 50th minute veteran Thiery Brinkman made it safe by hoisting the third goal for the home team. A minute later, the Dutch were at it again. This time it was the hero of the match, Tjep Hoedemakers, who put the final touch in a goal yielding move.
Leading 4-1, the Dutch forced a penalty corner in the 52nd minute. This time it was Koen Bijen who slammed the rebound home. The Kiwis sought VR. However, it was turned down and the goal was upheld. By this time, the Dutch had mounted their lead to 5-1.
It was this Dutch blitzkrieg that resulted in three goals in four minutes. This virtually snatched the game from Kiwis, who, without giving up hope tried to stage a comeback in the game.
New Zealand’s valiant effort to get back into the game by earning a penalty corner in the 54th minute. It was foiled as the umpire blew for a corner that Kiwis wanted a review. The VR, however, stood by the ground umpire’s decision.
In the 58th minute, the Netherlands got yet another penalty corner. But it did not change the scoreline.
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