Jip Janssen’s pair of penalty corner goals saw the Netherlands negotiate a really tough challenge from France, keeping up their hopes of retaining the men’s EHC title.

He shook off the disappointment of missing a third quarter penalty stroke to deliver the game’s decisive moments with two low bullets in the second half.

The Dutch raced out of the traps and were 1-0 up within two minutes of the start, Jip Janssen scoring his first penalty corner goal of the tournament to go with one from play and two strokes.

And they played the first half at high pace, pinning the French in their own territory for long periods and making life difficult. Corentin Saunier, though, was in superb form throughout the contest.

Mere seconds into the second half, Theirry Brinkman made it 2-0 with a lovely finish, pure instinct after some pinball in the circle saw the ball rise his way off Thijs van Dam’s stick.

But any notion the French would fall away were quickly quelled and they got back into the game with a beautiful penalty corner variation, moving left and right to François Goyet to deflect into the goal.

Janssen had the chance to put daylight back between the teams but he saw his penalty stroke whizz wide, keeping it 2-1 going into the final quarter.

But he did get his second goal with three minutes left which ultimately confirmed the win was going their way, putting them within one win of an eighth title.