These have been busy weeks for Fay van der Elst (27), the assured striker of Amsterdam and the Dutch national team. Barely recovered from an intense Pro League trip in India, she and her clubmates were already back on the misty peaks of the Scottish Highlands. As the big league prepares for the resumption, we look back with her on the adventure in India, where she scored four goals in four international matches: ‘The girls already said: there she is again.’
In Bhubaneswar’s gigantic Kalinga Hockey Stadium in late February, Van der Elst grew to become one of the Netherlands’ most notable players. The Netherlands played four matches: twice against England and twice against host country India. And in all matches Van der Elst hit the target. Always in her own characteristic way: searching for space in the circle, like a predator lurking on her prey, to strike at the perfect moment. Often with a gasp, as in both duels with India.
‘Haha, the girls already said: there she is again,’ says Van der Elst when recalling her goals. ‘I always try to wait as long as possible and then get in front of my opponent at the last moment. And yes, that often involves a dive for the ball and a tumble. But it would also be nice to just stay on my feet for once,” she jokes.
Van der Elst: seven goals in eight interlans under national coach Raoul Ehren. Photo: WorldSportPics
With her four goals in India, Van der Elst lifted her total in the Orange to 12 from 16 internationals – a rare good average for a relative newcomer. In more than sixty years, only teammate Felice Albers managed a similar start, with eleven goals in her first sixteen duels.
The numbers of Van der Elst, who has the role of deep striker in the Orange, betray her nose for the goal and her unerring sense of timing. ‘I am quite satisfied with my game in India,’ she said. ‘Although at times I could have been more compelling. I don’t stare blindly at goals, but I do think I should always go one hundred percent for every chance. Fortunately, I often find myself in scoring position, especially with such good players around me who can put me in position.’
Orange can improve
The Dutch women achieved success in India with two resounding wins over England (5-1 and 6-0) and a victory in a chaotic game with India (4-2). But the final game against the home country left a sour aftertaste. The Netherlands was leading 2-0 and had everything under control, until the game suddenly tilted. Within eight minutes, national coach Raoul Ehren’s team gave away the lead and after a failed shoot-out series had to settle for a point.
‘It wasn’t a disaster that we didn’t win that game,’ Van der Elst looked back. ‘Certainly not for the phase of the season we are in with the Orange. But we do know we can do much better. The crazy thing is that in the last game with India we were in complete control. But after halftime they scored out of nowhere and eight minutes later we were tied [2-2]. How we finished the match did not match our feeling at all. We mainly made it difficult for ourselves by not scoring more often in the first half.’
Team spirit in the Scottish hills
However, India did not linger long in her mind. Less than a day after landing in the Netherlands, the next trip was already scheduled: a team weekend with the Amsterdam women in the Scottish Highlands, in preparation for the second half of the season. No field hockey sticks this time, but sturdy hiking boots and jackets that had to withstand the rough elements. The selection stayed in the accommodation of Robert Jan van Rheenen, known for B&B Vol Liefde. A weekend of mile-long hikes through the hills, clay pigeon shooting and tables full of long conversations.
The Amsterdam Ladies 1 selection before leaving for Scotland. Photo: Amsterdam Instagram
‘It was a wonderful trip,’ says Van der Elst. ‘We spent a lot of time outside and talked a lot among ourselves. Not so much about field hockey, but more about everyone’s role and responsibility within the team. It was about how we can strengthen each other, what we need from each other.’
The conversations were no luxury. Amsterdam ended the first half of the season in a disappointing fourth place, without winning a single top game against Den Bosch, SCHC, Kampong or Pinoké. Teun de Nooijer’s team also lost expensive points by playing four unnecessary draws just before the winter break.
‘We failed to kill too many games,’ Van der Elst acknowledged, without going too deeply into the disappointing results. ‘The long absence of Maria [Verschoor] and Felice [Albers] also played a role, of course. Fourth place is not ideal, but we are not looking at the rankings right now. We look at each match separately, don’t look too far ahead. What I do notice: everyone in the group is itching. We are really looking forward to starting again. We are going for the highest achievable goal, that much is clear.’
A hungry team, an accurate striker and a second half of the season full of chances. The big league is in for a treat.
