Reading lost their second and final group match 2-1 to Amsterdam, who will have the advantage of being group winners in the draw for the last sixteen.
The match was decided by the success of penalty corners. Amsterdam scored from two of their three and Reading just one from eight. Surprisingly it was Robert Tigges who was allowed to strike Amsterdam’s first corner in the tenth minute, a switch which caught the Reading defence cold.
Reading came back strongly, and after Richard Mantell had three corners blocked and two saved, the next one was switched to Simon Mantell who equalised with a well placed shot twelve minutes into the second half.
Although Reading continued to press, Amsterdam snatched the winner five minutes from the end. Taeke Taekema struck with a low flick past Nick Brothers. Reading’s best chance to equalise came in overtime, but Jonty Clarke failed to control a penalty corner re-bound.
