For Belgium, Olympic and world champion, it was the third match of the Pro League after 2 won duels against Germany, European champions the Netherlands made their debut in the current Pro League season.
Defending champions Belgium were missing the injured Cosyns, Poncelet, Kina and Stockbroeckx, in goal Loic Van Doren replaced the absent Vincent Vanasch. At Orange it was the first official match of Jeroen Delmee as head coach, Delmee still has a past with the Red Lions.
The first quarter was in favor of the Belgians, but Boon, Dohmen and Denayer missed the opportunities. In the second quarter Arthur Van Doren injured his left hand after a solid effort by Pieters. Exit Van Doren, the two-time world player of the year, did not return.
That was the end of Belgian dominance. The goals came after the break. Pieters opened the score for the home team in the Wagener Hockey Stadium, but Van Aubel hit the equalizer 3 minutes later in the rebound from a penalty corner by Hendrickx.
The Belgians took control of the match again, but did not get past goalkeeper Vissers. Janssen made it 2-1 with a penalty shot, 4 minutes later a penalty corner by Hendrickx made it into the final score.
Hendrickx had another chance in the final phase with a penalty corner, but that ball was turned. At the shoot-outs, the number 4 in the world was too fast for the number 1. The Netherlands took a bonus point 3-0.
On Sunday, the two countries will play against each other again in Amstelveen.
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