Amsterdam too strong for SCHC: 3-2

SCHC - without top defender Lisa Post (thumb injury) - got off to a strong start. Already within a minute, Pien Dicke scored the first penalty corner of the match in a duel with Li Hong. Goalkeeper Anne Veenendaal immediately proved her worth by keeping Yibbi Jansen's low drag flick out of the goal.

Amsterdam had to step up their game, but SCHC continued to take the initiative. For Stichtsche, this resulted in two more penalty corners before the end of the first quarter, but no goal was scored.

The 1-0 for SCHC finally fell early in the second quarter, after a splitting pass by Jansen from the right. Completely free in front of goal, Dicke saw her effort turned away by Veenendaal. But on sheer willpower Dicke recaptured the ball, amidst a forest of Amsterdam sticks. The ball then fell to the stick of Jip Dicke, who made no mistake: 0-1.

SCHC's lead proved to be short-lived. Amsterdam's first serious attack immediately resulted in a penalty corner, after Felice Albers put the ball at the feet of Elzemiek Zandee. Imke Verstraeten immediately pushed in a hit: 1-1. Until that moment SCHC goalkeeper Marsha Zwezereijn had had nothing to do, but on the first Amsterdam penalty corner she had to give in.

With the quick equaliser, Amsterdam was right back in the game. Five minutes after half-time, the home team had the chance for the 2-1. Ivy Tellier sent Felice Albers into the circle with a lovely cross. The former World Player of the Year sought the far corner with her backhand, but shot wide. Amsterdam missed an excellent opportunity to take the lead.

Amsterdam smelt there was more to come and kept pressing. Two corners by Verstraeten did not yield anything, but immediately afterwards Amsterdam had another chance from the head of the circle. Zwezereijn saved Verstraeten's drag flick, but the rebound fell to the stick of Marijn Veen. From close range she pushed the ball into the crossbar: 2-1.

Amsterdam's lead immediately shook SCHC awake. Less than four minutes later it was level again. Van Laarhoven swung the ball into the circle and it went up via Ivy Tellier's stick. Via the body of Alessia Norbiato, the ball eventually fell in front of the stick of Mette Winter, who did not hesitate: 2-2. Amsterdam protested, but the video referee saw no reason to disallow the goal.

But again Amsterdam had an answer ready at lightning speed. On the home team's sixth penalty corner, thoughts turned to a drag flick by Verstraeten. Only this time, Verstraeten opted for a clever variation on Marijn Veen, who tipped in the hit: 3-2.

In the closing stages SCHC stepped up the pressure, but no more goals were scored. Amsterdam struck the first blow in this semi-final. If Amsterdam does the job on Saturday, it will reach the final for the first time since 2023. SCHC will have to chase to secure its fifth NK final in a row.