Reading suffered a setback in their first Round 1.2 match in
the Euro Hockey League here in Lille this afternoon
Playing Rotterdam,
the match showed some of the symptoms of the earlier encounter between
Rotterdam and the hosts, Lille.
Rotterdam are clearly slow starters, but once they start they are
unstoppable. Lille had scored the
opening goal against Rotterdam yesterday, but playing Reading it was the Dutch
who found the net first, courtesy of Frans Hagemans 13 minutes into the match.
It was an unfortunate start for the English team, who had shown
some enterprising play and had several promising penetrations into their
opponent's D. But the second half was a
different story. Increasingly visits
into Dutch territory became rare, and Rotterdam’s Bjorn Kellerman scored twice
to give his side a 3-0 lead.
It wasn’t quite all
over for Reading. A breakaway led to a
foul by the Rotterdam defence which resulted in a penalty stroke award, which
Jonty Clarke put into the back of the Rotterdam net. If there was a glimmer of hope it was soon
dispelled by Seve Van As, who gave
Rotterdam their fourth goal. Final score 4-1 to Rotterdam.
The result creates an interesting situation. Reading and Lille are on equal points and
goal difference. Reading have to win when the two sides meet tomorrow, or face
the possibility of a shoot-out decider if the match ends in a draw. Having seen
Lille play yesterday, they will no be a walk over.
Pictures from this match ad other Euro Hockey League matches
in Lille are on our site at
www.HockeyImages.co.uk.
