England beat Netherlands in shootout after late draw

England men beat the Netherlands in a shootout after earning a dramatic last-minute draw in the FIH Hockey Pro League in Valencia.

With 19 seconds remaining, Henry Croft slammed home to level the match at 2-2 before England won 4-3 for their second shootout victory over the Netherlands inside three days.

England move up to second in the table after seven matches, three points behind the Netherlands who have played one game more.

The Dutch took the lead through Guus Jansen in the second quarter, but were pegged back just before half-time when Croft capitalised on a penalty corner.

Jonas de Geus put the Netherlands into the lead from a penalty corner of their own in the 34th minute, but despite controlling much of the remainder of the game they failed to see out victory as Croft equalised in dramatic fashion.

England women, who were also playing the Netherlands in China, suffered a 3-1 defeat as the Dutch extended their perfect record.

Darcy Bourne’s flick from a penalty corner put England into an unlikely lead, but the Netherlands equalised in the second quarter through Joosje Burg’s tap-in.

The Dutch took control from there, with Yibbi Jansen scoring from a penalty corner to put her side ahead, before Pien Dicke sealed the win late on.