The Netherlands will meet Belgium in the women’s Junior World Cup semi-finals following their emphatic quarter-final wins on Monday in Santiago.
Germany, however, bowed out 2-1 at the hands of Argentina, denying them a final four match against China who were too strong for Australia.
For the Dutch, they went goal-crazy in the third quarter to race away from the challenge of England 8-2 with Iris de Kemp scoring a hat trick.
While the Oranje had most of the first half play with Mollie Smith making a series of brilliant saves, the scoreline was tight at 2-1 at half-time with Kaatje Walhof and de Kemp countering a Biba Mills stroke.
The third quarter broke the match open, with a Dutch surge combining rapid recoveries, sustained width and clinical finishing inside the circle.
Guusje Moes extended the advantage, Walhof added her second and de Kemp completed her hat-trick within minutes and that put them out of sight.
De Kemp said, “I’m very excited about this win, I’m very proud of the team, we worked really hard and trust each other a lot, when we play with speed on the pitch we score many goals, that was the key today, and now we need everyone’s support for the semi-finals.”
Belgium also made their big move in a 4-1 win over USA in the third quarter as three goals in as many minutes saw them impose their authority.
They led from the second minute via Alexi van Remortel, an advantage they held through to half-time. Then, the Belgians cut loose, Perrine de Clerck scored from a penalty corner rebound rocket, Famke Van Heel added another from a sublime attack through the middle and Agathe Favart finished a right-side attack for 4-0.
They were relentless in this phase and came close to extending their lead a number of times before Reese D’Ariano reduced the margin late in the match.
Player of the Match Famke Van Heel said: “I think we could have started better, but in the third quarter we really played as one block and it was a good team effort, I’m very proud of the team; now we need to start matches at 100% and hopefully we can go home with the trophy.”
The third quarter-final went the way of China via a 5-3 success against Australia, setting up a date with Argentina thanks to their 2-1 win versus the Germans.
Juana Castellaro opened the scoring early in the third period with a precise drag-flick from the penalty corner, reflecting a phase of increased Argentine pressure. Germany equalised shortly afterwards through Gesa Lubienski, setting up an open and tense finish.
The game was settled when Lara Casas reacted first to a chance, stealing the ball less than two metres from the goal and finishing immediately for the 2-1 in a moment that shifted the entire narrative of the match.
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