Rotterdam beats Pinoké in first match

The home side had to do without captain Jacob Draper. The Wales international has been a key link for three seasons but had to watch the first semi-final. A fortnight ago he suffered a hamstring injury in the matches with HDM. Although he has since returned to partial training, the match came too soon.

Next to the dug-out - wearing a Pinoké scarf - he watched Rotterdam take the lead out of nowhere. The game lasted only four minutes when the visitors - who had travelled to Amsterdam with supporters' buses - could celebrate. That was thanks to a fine one-two between Thijs van Dam and Olivier Hortensius, after which the ball ended up with Tjep Hoedemakers via Marc Recansens. The striker only had to tap it over the goal line: 0-1.

The third quarter started immediately with an impressive rush by Daan Bonhof, who crossed the pitch with long strides and slalomed towards the circle. Without hesitation he lashed out with his forehand, after which Florent Van Aubel still got his stick against the ball. The Belgian and occasional captain worked the 1-1 in no time. The Amsterdamse Bos exploded: Pinoké celebrated the equaliser exuberantly.

But Pinoké could not enjoy the equaliser for long. The home team soon found themselves trailing again, when Bouwe Buitenhuis pushed the ball into the circle. It was actually meant for Hoedemakers, but the international could not control the ball. His cross, however, worked out perfectly for Hortensius, who tapped in the 1-2 from close range. Thus, he was not only involved in the opening goal, but also signed for the second Rotterdam goal.

Rotterdam held firm in the closing stages, taking home a minimal but important lead. The team from the port city will need a draw at home on Sunday to qualify for the national title final for the fifth time in the club's history. Pinoké will have to win in Rotterdam by at least two goals to secure the final after all.