Two goals from Struan Walker underpinned an eight-goal thriller for Oranje-Rood over Wimbledon, a result which send the Dutch side through to next Easter’s FINAL12.
The hosts made the perfect start with two goals in the first seven minutes put them well on course for success. Struan Walker was the first to register when he picked up a raking pass from Arthur De Sloover in the middle of the circle which he controlled and slung into the bottom corner.
De Sloover doubled up when he was quickest to latch onto a penalty corner. Tijmen Reyenga put them further ahead in the second quarter with a vicious drag-flick into the right-hand corner and it looked to be all done and dusted for the Eindhoven club.
But Wimbledon got a glimmer of hope when Ali Empey slipped the ball under his arm into the path of Liam Ansell whose reverse-stick shot raced past Tomi Santiago.
And that grew to a distinct glow when Empey robbed the ball on the left wing and fed Jonny Sturch-Hibbitt who moved it on to Fred Newbold to finish off.
But the hopes of a memorable comeback were put in check when Henrik Mertgens finished off a wonderful team move in the 44th minute, making it 4-2.
Sam Hooper’s drag-flick in the last 10 minutes rekindled the Wimbledon fire briefly but Victor Foubert got to the endline and slipped the pass to Walker to deflect in and ease any jangling nerves around the venue.
