Wortelboer and Payne star on the return to hockey.

Floris Wortelboer scored his first international goal to give the Netherlands men victory in their first international match in eight months.

In a match that lacked a significant goalscoring threat, a debut for young goalkeeper Ollie Payne was the highlight for Great Britain, who also welcomed back several players from injury.

Hockey World News


AMSTELVEEN FIH Pro League Netherlands v Great Britain Picture: Oliver Payne (GK) ©: Frank Uijlenbroek / World Sport Pics

It was raining, it was windy, it was freezing and the Wagener Stadium virtually empty, but that did not affect the players in the first quarter of this Pro League match between the two hockey giants. The game was flowing from the first minute, with the hosts taking control. First, it was Sander de Wijn who played in striker Bjorn Kellerman with a great crossfield pass, a prelude to what would happen later. The Kampong striker should have given his side the perfect start, but with an eight-month absence of international hockey, Kellerman uncharacteristically did not connect well with the ball, allowing young British goalkeeper Oliver Payne to save easily.