World No.1 Netherlands women ended 2024 with a rare slip up, as they went down 3-2 to a gleeful Argentina in the women’s FIH Pro League.
The defeat was only their second in 2024 from 24 international matches – they lost 2-1 to Belgium in the Pro League before the Olympics – a year which saw them defend their Olympic title.
Moreover, this match saw them record only their 20th defeat since the Athens Olympics in 2004 from over 300 matches and only their seventh loss since losing to GB at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
The likes of Felice Albers, Xan de Waard, Maria Verschoor and Marijn Veen were missing from national coach Raoul Ehren’s squad in Argentina.
The Dutch still ended 2024 by topping the FIH Pro League women’s standings.
They have played four matches and accrued nine points, with three victories.
China are in second on eight points, England fifth on three. Australia, India and Spain are yet to start their Pro League season.
The next meeting for the Dutch will be a rare Test outing in India when they take on the hosts and England in February at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
