Amsterdam defeats Rotterdam in top clash

Schaerweijde – Klein Zwitserland 1–2

Klein Zwitserland have secured their first win of the season. Schaerweijde were beaten 2-1 at the Zeister Kuil. This brought an end to a run of four matches without a win for Klein Zwitserland. Just before the end of the first quarter, the visitors took the lead. New Zealander Sam Lane turned and fired the ball high into the net.

After the break, Karst Timmer doubled the lead with a backhand shot. In the fourth quarter, the tension returned to the match following a goal from Schaerweijde. Niels de Joode tipped in a cross from the left. Klein Zwitserland held firm and took the three points back to The Hague.

Pinoké – Bloemendaal 2–2

In the Amsterdamse Bos, Pinoké looked set for a 2-0 victory over Bloemendaal following goals from Belgian international Hugo Labouchere and Pepijn van der Valk. With seven minutes to go, Teun Hogenhout pulled one back, after which Teun Beins scored from a well-taken penalty corner in the final minute to ensure Bloemendaal still came away with a point from the match.

Despite the draw, Pinoké remain unbeaten in seven league matches in a row and have scored in their last 37 home matches, equalling the club record set between early November 2007 and late March 2011. Bloemendaal failed to secure a win away from home for the fourth time, but remain unbeaten in their last six league matches.

Rotterdam – Amsterdam 3–4

In this repeat of last season’s Dutch Championship final, Amsterdam came out on top this time. Just as in the previous nine matches between the two sides, there was plenty of scoring. Rotterdam took the lead after four minutes through a well-taken penalty corner by Pepijn van der Heijden. Amsterdam’s response was not long in coming. The Cassiem brothers turned the deficit into a 2-1 lead.

Shortly after half-time, Olivier Hortensius equalised and Timme van der Heijden put the home side ahead with a superb turn. Duco Telgenkamp levelled the score, after which Mustapha Cassiem secured victory for Amsterdam whilst Rotterdam were down to ten men following a yellow card for Joaquin Menini. Only twice before in the club’s history has Rotterdam started a season with two consecutive defeats: in 2002–03 and 2005–06. Coach Jeroen Hertzberger’s side are currently eleventh in the table.

Tilburg – Den Bosch 0–3

Tilburg 0. Timo Boers 3. Last season’s Hoofdklasse top scorer left Tilburg’s stand-in goalkeeper Sam van der Ven with no chance on three occasions from the top of the circle. The victory meant Den Bosch remained unbeaten for the eleventh time in their head-to-head matches against Tilburg. It was also Den Bosch’s first league win since 26 April, when they beat Hurley 5-1.

Away from home, the Den Bosch side are currently on a spectacular run. The team have scored in their last 46 away matches in a row, a club record. The previous record stood at 27. Tilburg are bottom of the Hoofdklasse and are the only team yet to score.

Kampong – SCHC 3–0

Kampong secured a 3-0 victory over newly promoted SCHC in their first home match of the season. After a goalless first quarter, Kampong took the lead through a goal from Rik Sprengers. Three minutes before half-time, Dylan Lucieer, who had joined from Rotterdam, netted his first goal for Kampong. Peppe Veen made it 3-0. Like Lucieer, he marked his home debut for the Utrecht side with a goal. SCHC have now gone five league matches without a win in the Hoofdklasse.

Oranje-Rood – HDM 4–3

Just as in the Rotterdam-Amsterdam match, the Oranje-Rood v HDM fixture in Eindhoven was a goal-fest. Struan Walker put the home side ahead after just three minutes. The match had barely resumed when Fabian Verzuu, completely unmarked, scored the equaliser. The HDM player slotted home the equaliser with a backhand shot. It was Verzuu’s fourth goal of the season. After eleven minutes, HDM even took the lead through Canadian international Robin Thind.

In the second quarter, Oranje-Rood got their act together and, thanks to goals from Max de Bie and Walker again, the home side went into the break with a 3–2 lead. Florian Gosselink extended that lead to 4–2 after the break. Mats Dicke then scored to make it 4-3, but there were no further goals in the fourth quarter. The victory means Oranje-Rood are now unbeaten in 27 league matches in a row. The team are also unbeaten in nineteen home matches, a new club record.