- News release
Play-outs (D): Oranje-Rood and HDM remain in top flight
The ladies of HDM and Oranje-Rood will also play in the Hoofdklasse next season. Both clubs secured retention on Sunday in the return of the play-outs. Oranje-Rood had few problems with Nijmegen and also won the second meeting 3-1, while HDM avoided a shoot-out series thanks to a late equaliser against Ring Pass (1-1) after its 1-0 victory the day before.
HDM started the game strongest in Delft, creating several chances from penalty corners. Belén van den Broek and Julia Duffhuis were close to the opening goal, with Duffhuis' effort even ending up on the post. Ring Pass gradually showed more and also got three penalty corners before half-time. However, Meike Jansen could not find a hole in the Hague defence and goalkeeper Julia Remmerswaal kept her goal clean.
After half-time, the match became messier. Both teams were rife with mistakes and cards, while the tension kept rising. From a clever penalty corner variation, Berbel Rozema made it 1-0 for the home team midway through the fourth quarter. At that point, shoot-outs were suddenly close, as the score was completely balanced over two games.
Ring Pass smelled a stunt, but failed to extend the lead. At the other end, HDM kept pressing via penalty corners. The decision finally fell in The Hague's favour. From a corner kick, Kaat Walhof tipped in the equaliser, putting HDM back on the right side of the score in the two-setter.
In the closing stages, Ring Pass brought goalkeeper Robin Stam to the side for an extra player, but another goal did not materialise. As a result, the hope for shoot-outs was extinguished and HDM secured retention in the Hoofdklasse. Ring Pass will also play in the Promotieklasse next season.
Oranje-Rood decides matches before half-time
Nijmegen faced a tough task to undo the 3-1 defeat the day before and still force promotion to the Hoofdklasse. The home team started the return game in good spirits and was close to an opening goal early on, but failed to capitalise on the opportunity. Oranje-Rood did so moments later. Margje van der Loo got the ball at the head of the circle and made a devastating backhand strike: 0-1.
Nijmegen did have an answer to the early deficit with a penalty stroke, taken by Emma Sophie Hessler, but the tension was short-lived. Thirsa Kho gave Oranje-Rood the lead again a minute later from a penalty corner, before Madelief de Beer also scored 1-3 before half-time.
With a four-goal lead over two games, the duel was decided. The Eindhoven team controlled the matches and hardly gave away any chances. Nijmegen tried to come back via several penalty corners. Goalkeeper Renske van Limpt saved one of the shots by tapping the ball out of the corner. At the other end, Oranje-Rood had opportunities to extend the score via penalty corners and a one-on-one chance for Lynn Vasterink.
In the last quarter, Oranje-Rood played out the match maturely. Nijmegen kept looking for an opening, but could not find a way through the Eindhoven defence. After the final whistle, the visitors could celebrate. Thanks to two wins in the play-offs, Oranje-Rood will also play in the Hoofdklasse next season. For Nijmegen, a new season in the Promotieklasse remains.
