Great Britain women lose to Holland in second match of Pro League double header

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Great Britain women's side were unable to replicate the intensity of two days earlier as they lost to world champions Holland in the second of their Pro League double header in Amstelveen. On Tuesday, Mark Hager's youthful side had played out an encouraging draw against the best side in the world before the Dutch took a bonus point via a penalty shootout. However the ground Great Britain, crowned Olympic champions in 2016, still need to make up on their rivals ahead of next year's postponed Tokyo Games was evident on Thursday as they were beaten 3-0. "The Dutch came out a little bit stronger today and played with a little bit more intensity than the other day," reflected captain Laura Unsworth. "As a squad we put in a good performance, we just couldn't put away our chances like we did the other day. "In the first match we were a little bit disappointed to come out with a draw - we thought we could have come out with a win - and then today disappointed to lose. But as a squad this is where we are, we've made good gains in the last two matches and we're looking forward to the next nine months ahead." With this week representing Great Britain's first taste of international action since the coronavirus pandemic halted matches in the spring, the Dutch challenge was always going to be the stiffer assignment ahead of another double header against Belgium, ranked 12th in the world, this weekend. And when Caia van Maasakker converted a second-minute penalty stroke to give the Dutch an early lead, the tone was set, Frederique Matla then converting a penalty corner shortly before half-time for her 44th goal in 73 internationals. Great Britain goalkeeper Sabbie Heesh pulled off several saves and Sarah Robertson also came close to scoring in the third quarter after a smart interception by Unsworth. But Eva de Goede swept home from a penalty corner in the final quarter to hand the Dutch a victory. Great Britain, who remain on one victory from their six Pro League games so far this campaign, now travel to Brussels for another double-header for both the men's and women's sides against Belgium this weekend.

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