2020–21 Women's FIH Pro League

The 2020–21 Women's FIH Pro League was the second season of the Pro League, the premier women's field hockey national team league series. The tournament started in January 2020 and finished in June 2021.[1]

2020–21 Women's FIH Pro League
Dates11 January 2020 – 27 June 2021
Teams9 (from 4 confederations)
Final positions
Champions Netherlands (2nd title)
Runner-up Argentina
Third place Great Britain
Tournament statistics
Matches played40
Goals scored156 (3.9 per match)
Top scorer(s)New Zealand Olivia Merry (11 goals)
2019 (previous) (next) 2021–22

Format changes

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The home and away principle was kept but this principle is split over two consecutive seasons from this season onwards and work according to the following example:[2]

  • in season 2020-21, Team A will host Team B twice within a couple of days.
  • in season 2021-22, Team B will host Team A twice within a couple of days.

If one of the two matches played between two teams is cancelled, the winner of the other match will receive double points.

The grand final will not be played this edition because of the time proximity with the 2020 Olympic Games.

Coronavirus pandemic interruption

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Due to the outbreak COVID-19 pandemic in China, the FIH decided in late January to put on hold the matches between China and Belgium, initially scheduled on 8 and 9 February in Changzhou. For the rest of the upcoming matches in China, the FIH monitored the evolution of the situation closely and following the recommendations of the World Health Organization applied in early February the same measures for the matches scheduled on 14 and 15 March against Australia, Meanwhile, it was evaluated the possibility for China to play these and their other matches on hold in alternative locations.[3][4]

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Europe, Hockey Australia decided to suspend all international travels for its national teams until further notice in early March. The matches against Germany and Netherlands, scheduled on 21 and 22 and 26 and 29 March respectively, were postponed.[5] Later Hockey New Zealand took the same decision, postponing their matches scheduled on 19 and 22 March against Netherlands and on 28 and 29 March against Germany.[6]

Once declared as a pandemic on 11 March, the FIH and all participating National Associations involved in the competition decided to put all the matches scheduled until 15 April on hold. Furthermore, it was agreed that the current edition is maintained, no matches will be played after the Olympic Games and depending on the evolution of the situation and the decisions of the public authorities, every match which can be organized between late April and before the Olympics, shall be played.[7] On 19 March, it was announced by the FIH that all the matches scheduled to play until 17 May were put on hold.[8]

On 24 April, it was announced that the competition is extended until June 2021.[9] The restart for September 2020, was announced on 9 July.[10] Because not all matches are due to be played before the end of the season, the final ranking will be determined by points percentage instead of total points.[11]

On 28 May, it was announced that despite the efforts of the involved federations, the matches set to play before the announcing date were going to be the last of the edition.[12]

Teams

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Nine teams competed in a round-robin tournament, being played from January to June.

Squads

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Results

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Standings

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Pos Team Pld W SOW SOL L GF GA GD PCT
    Netherlands (C) 12 10 1 0 1 35 7 +28 .889
    Argentina 10 5 2 0 3 24 15 +9 .633
    Great Britain 12 5 2 1 4 24 14 +10 .556
4   Germany 8 4 0 1 3 12 11 +1 .542
5   Australia 8 3 1 2 2 11 12 −1 .542
6   New Zealand 10 4 1 2 3 22 19 +3 .533
7   Belgium 12 3 1 2 6 19 25 −6 .361
8   China 2 0 0 0 2 2 7 −5 .000
9   United States 10 0 0 0 10 7 46 −39 .000
Source: FIH
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) matches won; 3) goal difference; 4) goals for; 5) head-to-head result; 6) field goals scored.[13]
(C) Champion

All times are local.[14]

Fixtures

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11 January 2020
14:00
China   0–3   Netherlands
Report Zerbo   8'40'
Leurink   31'
Wujin Hockey Stadium, Changzhou
Umpires:
Kang Hyun-young (KOR)
Junko Wagatsuma (JPN)

12 January 2020
14:00
China   2–4   Netherlands
Peng   30'
Chen Yi   54'
Report Nunnink   6'
Keetels   23'
Welten   36'
Matla   47'
Wujin Hockey Stadium, Changzhou
Umpires:
Amber Church (NZL)
Kang Hyun-young (KOR)

25 January 2020
14:00
United States   Cancelled   Netherlands
Report
Karen Shelton Stadium, Chapel Hill

As a mark of respect for United States manager Larry Amar, who died that week whilst with the team, their first match of the FIH Pro League was cancelled.[15] In accordance with the League's regulations for a cancelled match, the points of the second match count double.

25 January 2020
16:00
Australia   3–3   Belgium
Malone   21'
Bone   59'
Commerford   60'
Report Versavel   33'
Englebert   45'
Nelen   55'
Penalties
Peris  
Nobbs  
Malone  
Lawton  
Claxton  
4–2   Ballenghien
  Rasir
  Raye
  Englebert
Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney
Umpires:
Amber Church (NZL)
Michelle Joubert (RSA)

26 January 2020
14:00
United States   0–9   Netherlands
Report Albers   6'43'53'
Matla   22'
Welten   40'50'55'
Zerbo   56'
Verschoor   59'
Karen Shelton Stadium, Chapel Hill
Umpires:
Catalina Montesino (CHI)
Irene Presenqui (ARG)
26 January 2020
15:00
Australia   1–1   Belgium
Nance   45' Report Duquesne   47'
Penalties
Stewart  
Nance  
Kershaw  
Kenny  
1–3   Versavel
  Ballenghien
  Raye
  Duquesne
  Nelen
Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney
Umpires:
Amber Church (NZL)
Michelle Joubert (RSA)

1 February 2020
17:00
New Zealand   1–2   Belgium
McCaw   17' Report Ballenghien   2'
Weyns   51'
North Harbour Hockey Stadium, Auckland
Umpires:
Steve Rogers (AUS)
Wanri Venter (RSA)
1 February 2020
18:30
Australia   2–1   Great Britain
Kershaw   26'
Stewart   60'
Report Robertson   18'
Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney
Umpires:
Kelly Hudson (NZL)
Emi Yamada (JPN)

2 February 2020
15:00
New Zealand   4–1   Belgium
Merry   31'35'51'55' Report Raye   7'
North Harbour Hockey Stadium, Auckland
Umpires:
Wanri Venter (RSA)
Aleisha Neumann (AUS)
2 February 2020
17:30
Australia   Cancelled   Great Britain
Report Toman   17'
Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney
Umpires:
Emi Yamada (JPN)
Kelly Hudson (NZL)

Game was abandoned at half time due to heavy rain and thunderstorms when Great Britain was leading 1–0.[16] In accordance with the League's regulations for a cancelled match, the points of the first match count double.


7 February 2020
18:00
Argentina   6–2   United States
Jankunas   3'
Merino   23'
Gorzelany   33'
Luchetti   37'
Sánchez Moccia   57'
Rebecchi   60'
Report Hoffman   24'
West   50'
CeNARD, Buenos Aires
Umpires:
Catalina Montesino (CHI)
Ayanna McClean (TTO)

8 February 2020
18:00
Argentina   6–1   United States
Gorzelany   1'
Merino   8'60'
Rebecchi   13'
Barrionuevo   40'53'
Report West   28'
CeNARD, Buenos Aires
Umpires:
Ayanna McClean (TTO)
Catalina Montesino (CHI)
8 February 2020
19:30
New Zealand   0–3   Great Britain
Report Howard   9'
Watson   21'
McCallin   50'
North Harbour Hockey Stadium, Auckland
Umpires:
Irene Presenqui (ARG)
Aleisha Neumann (AUS)

9 February 2020
17:30
New Zealand   2–2   Great Britain
Shannon   28'53' Report Toman   38'
Balsdon   42'
Penalties
Shannon  
Charlton  
Merry  
Ralph  
Michelsen  
Michelsen  
4–5   Howard
  Owsley
  Martin
  Robertson
  Toman
  Howard
North Harbour Hockey Stadium, Auckland
Umpires:
Aleisha Neumann (AUS)
Irene Presenqui (ARG)

15 February 2020
17:00
New Zealand   3–1   United States
Merry   13'
Shannon   22'
Keddell   33'
Report Campbell   44'
Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, Christchurch
Umpires:
Junko Wagatsuma (JPN)
Annelize Rostron (RSA)
15 February 2020
20:30
Argentina   2–0   Netherlands
Gorzelany   35'
Merino   57'
Report
CeNARD, Buenos Aires
Umpires:
Maggie Giddens (USA)
Michelle Meister (GER)

16 February 2020
15:00
Argentina   1–3   Netherlands
Gorzelany   18' Report Matla   30+'
Jansen   42'
Fortuin   60'
CeNARD, Buenos Aires
Umpires:
Michelle Meister (GER)
Maggie Giddens (USA)
16 February 2020
20:30
New Zealand   3–1   United States
Merry   16'
Michelsen   38'
Jaques   54'
Report Grega   47'
Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, Christchurch
Umpires:
Annelize Rostron (RSA)
Junko Wagatsuma (JPN)

28 February 2020
20:00
New Zealand   1–1   Argentina
Ralph   19' Report Albertario   37'
Penalties
Shannon  
Charlton  
Merry  
Ralph  
1–3   Jankunas
  Miranda
  Albertario
  M. Granatto
  Jardel
Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, Christchurch
Umpires:
Aleisha Neumann (AUS)
Liu Xiaoying (CHN)

1 March 2020
17:30
New Zealand   5–3   Argentina
Merry   3'11'13'54'
Ralph   47'
Report M. Granatto   26'31'
Gorzelany   48'
Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub, Christchurch
Umpires:
Junko Wagatsuma (JPN)
Aleisha Neumann (AUS)

6 March 2020
18:00
Australia   0–2   Argentina
Report Jankunas   14'
Gorzelany   48'
Perth Hockey Stadium, Perth
Umpires:
Amber Church (NZL)
Kelly Hudson (NZL)

7 March 2020
16:00
Australia   0–2   Argentina
Report V. Granatto   25'
Toccalino   59'
Perth Hockey Stadium, Perth
Umpires:
Amber Church (NZL)
Kelly Hudson (NZL)

22 September 2020
18:00
Germany   2–0   Belgium
Heyn   36'
Micheel   47'
Report
Düsseldorfer HC, Düsseldorf
Umpires:
Alison Leogh (IRL)
Sarah Wilson (SCO)

23 September 2020
15:30
Germany   3–1   Belgium
Gablać   24'
Pieper   33'
Grote   46'
Report Ballenghien   21'
Düsseldorfer HC, Düsseldorf
Umpires:
Sarah Wilson (SCO)
Alison Leogh (IRL)

27 October 2020
16:30
Netherlands   1–1   Great Britain
Dicke   2' Report Hunter   43'
Penalties
Sanders  
De Waard  
Welten  
Van Geffen  
3–1   Rayer
  Howard
  Owsley
  Petter
Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen
Umpires:
Jonas van 't Hek (NED)
Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)

29 October 2020
16:30
Netherlands   3–0   Great Britain
Van Maasakker   2'
Matla   26'
De Goede   46'
Report
Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen
Umpires:
Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)
Coen van Bunge (NED)

31 October 2020
14:00
Belgium   1–1   Great Britain
Duquesne   30' Report Jones   11'
Penalties
Versavel  
S. Vanden Borre  
Duquesne  
Raye  
1–3   Owsley
  Toman
  Robertson
  Howard
Royal Uccle Sport, Brussels
Umpires:
Jonas van 't Hek (NED)
Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)

1 November 2020
14:00
Belgium   1–2   Great Britain
Nelen   16' Report Owsley   14'
Robertson   45+'
Royal Uccle Sport, Brussels
Umpires:
Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)
Coen van Bunge (NED)

4 November 2020
15:30
Belgium   0–4   Netherlands
Report Welten   27'
Matla   31'
Stam   36'
Van Geffen   36'
Royal Uccle Sport, Brussels
Umpires:
Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)
Jonas van 't Hek (NED)

6 March 2021
14:00
Netherlands   2–1   Germany
Matla   35'
Van den Assem   40'
Report Altenburg   12'
Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen
Umpires:
Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)
Jonas van 't Hek (NED)

7 March 2021
14:00
Netherlands   3–0   Germany
Dicke   2'
Welten   34'36'
Report
Wagener Stadium, Amstelveen
Umpires:
Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)
Coen van Bunge (NED)

3 April 2021
17:00
Argentina   0–0   Germany
Report
Penalties
Forcherio  
Albertario  
V. Granatto  
Jankunas  
Merino  
3–2   Zimmermann
  Oruz
  Lorenz
  Pieper
  Maertens
CeNARD, Buenos Aires
Umpires:
Irene Presenqui (ARG)
Carolina de la Fuente (ARG)

4 April 2021
17:00
Argentina   1–3   Germany
Gorzelany   51' Report Stapenhorst   3'
Heinz   24'
Maertens   31'
CeNARD, Buenos Aires
Umpires:
Carolina de la Fuente (ARG)
Irene Presenqui (ARG)

12 May 2021[note 1]
20:00
Great Britain   2–3   Germany
Robertson   11'
Townsend   32'
Report Fleschütz   14'
Micheel   41'
Stapenhorst   57'
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London
Umpires:
Sarah Wilson (SCO)
Hannah Harrison (ENG)

13 May 2021[note 1]
20:00
Great Britain   2–0   Germany
Toman   23'
Townsend   30'
Report
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London
Umpires:
Hannah Harrison (ENG)
Sarah Wilson (SCO)

15 May 2021
17:30
Belgium   3–0   United States
Raye   17'58'
Duquesne   33'
Report
Wilrijkse Plein, Antwerp
Umpires:
Laurine Delforge (BEL)
Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)

16 May 2021
17:30
Belgium   6–1   United States
Ballenghien   16'31'
S. Vanden Borre   23'34'
Ikegwuonu   24'
Breyne   35'
Report Gonzales   54'
Wilrijkse Plein, Antwerp
Umpires:
Michelle Meister (GER)
Laurine Delforge (BEL)

22 May 2021
15:30
Great Britain   5–1   United States
Petter   15'30'
Robertson   37'
Toman   41'
Rayer   50'
Report Briddell   57'
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London
Umpires:
Sarah Wilson (SCO)
Alison Keogh (IRL)

23 May 2021
14:30
Great Britain   5–0   United States
Balsdon   2'
Ansley   15'
Haycroft   16'
Robertson   48'
Jones   52'
Report
Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, London
Umpires:
Alison Keogh (IRL)
Sarah Wilson (SCO)

30 May 2021
14:00
Belgium   0–3   Netherlands
Report Keetels   9'
Matla   39'
Van Maasakker   40'
Wilrijkse Plein, Antwerp
Umpires:
Laurine Delforge (BEL)
Céline Martin-Schmets (BEL)

26 June 2021[note 2]
15:00
Australia   2–2   New Zealand
Malone   4'
Chalker   5'
Report Michelsen   11'
Ralph   36'
Penalties
S. Fitzpatrick  
Lawton  
Nobbs  
Peris  
0–2   Shannon
  Merry
  Keddell
  Charlton
  King
Perth Hockey Stadium, Perth
Umpires:
Kelly Hudson (NZL)
Aleisha Neumann (AUS)

27 June 2021[note 2]
15:00
Australia   3–1   New Zealand
S. Fitzpatrick   16'
Squibb   34'
Williams   57'
Report Merry   4'
Perth Hockey Stadium, Perth
Umpires:
Aleisha Neumann (AUS)
Kelly Hudson (NZL)

China   Cancelled[note 3]   Belgium
Report
China   Cancelled[note 3]   Belgium
Report
United States   Cancelled[note 3]   Australia
Report
United States   Cancelled[note 3]   Australia
Report
United States   Cancelled[note 3]   Germany
Report
Argentina   Cancelled[note 3]   China
Report
United States   Cancelled[note 3]   Germany
Report
Argentina   Cancelled[note 3]   China
Report
United States   Cancelled[note 3]   China
Report
United States   Cancelled[note 3]   China
Report
Germany   Cancelled[note 3]   China
Report
Germany   Cancelled[note 3]   China
Report
Great Britain   Cancelled[note 3]   China
Report
Great Britain   Cancelled[note 3]   China
Report
Great Britain   Cancelled[note 3]   Argentina
Report
China   Cancelled[note 3]   Australia
Report
Great Britain   Cancelled[note 3]   Argentina
Report
China   Cancelled[note 3]   Australia
Report
Netherlands   Cancelled[note 3]   New Zealand
Report
Netherlands   Cancelled[note 3]   New Zealand
Report
Germany   Cancelled[note 3]   New Zealand
Report
Germany   Cancelled[note 3]   New Zealand
Report
Belgium   Cancelled[note 3]   Argentina
Report
Belgium   Cancelled[note 3]   Argentina
Report
Netherlands   Cancelled[note 3]   Australia
Report
Netherlands   Cancelled[note 3]   Australia
Report
Germany   Cancelled[note 3]   Australia
Report
China   Cancelled[note 3]   New Zealand
Report
Germany   Cancelled[note 3]   Australia
Report
China   Cancelled[note 3]   New Zealand
Report

Goalscorers

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There were 156 goals scored in 40 matches, for an average of 3.9 goals per match.

11 goals

7 goals

6 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

Source: FIH

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b The matches, originally scheduled for 14 and 15 November 2020, were postponed by the request of the German team.[17]
  2. ^ a b The matches, scheduled for 24 and 25 April were postponed.[18]
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad The matches could not be rescheduled and were cancelled.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "FIH unveils Hockey PRO League schedule". FIH. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  2. ^ "Executive Board approves 2020 and 2021 FIH Pro League match schedule principles". fih.ch. International Hockey Federation. 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  3. ^ "China-Belgium on hold". fih.ch. International Hockey Federation. 28 January 2020.
  4. ^ "China-Australia on Hold". International Hockey Federation. 7 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Australia matches planned in Europe put on hold". International Hockey Federation. 7 March 2020.
  6. ^ "New Zealand matches in the Netherlands and Germany put on hold". International Hockey Federation. 9 March 2020.
  7. ^ "FIH Hockey Pro League put on hold until 15 April". International Hockey Federation. 13 March 2020.
  8. ^ "FIH Hockey Pro League: Postponement extended to 17 May". International Hockey Federation. 19 March 2020.
  9. ^ "FIH Hockey Pro League Season 2 extended until June 2021". International Hockey Federation. 24 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Germany to host Belgium as "Hockey at its Best" restarts!". International Hockey Federation. 9 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Fih Hockey Pro League 2021-2022: Match Schedule Confirmed". fihproleague.com. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  12. ^ a b "FIH Hockey Pro League: This Sunday is "winners' day"". fihproleague.com. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  13. ^ FIH Pro League Competition Regulations November 2019
  14. ^ "FIH confirms venues and match timings of FIH Hockey Pro League 2020". fih.ch. International Hockey Federation. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  15. ^ "FIH Hockey Pro League: USA-Netherlands to Be Played in One Match". fihproleague.com. International Hockey Federation. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  16. ^ "Black Sticks Record Breaker Merry Steals the FIH Hockey Pro League Headlines on Match Day 10". fihproleague.com. International Hockey Federation. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  17. ^ "Upcoming Home Games Against Germany in FIH Hockey Pro League Postponed". englandhockey.co.uk. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  18. ^ "FIH Hockey Pro League: AUS-NZL to be played in June". fihproleague.com. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
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