The Netherlands beat both Germany and Ireland at the opening of the 2022 Women’s International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey World Cup on home turf in Amstelveen this weekend.

Before packed crowds, the Dutch team on Saturday defeated Ireland, the team it trounced in the 2018 final to win that year’s cup, 5-1. On Sunday night, the Dutch continued its winning streak by beating Germany 3-1.

The Tokyo 2020 champions got off to a slow start against Ireland, not able to capitalise on a handful of chances during the first quarter. But a second-quarter goal by Frédérique Matla set them on the road to victory. Back in Amstelveen’s Wagener Stadium on Sunday night, the Dutch beat coach Jamilon Mülders’ team Germany in a decisive victory against what Mülders called ‘the strongest opponent in our group.’

Defender Margot van Geffen said of the team’s slow start: ‘If you look at the scoreboard, you have to be satisfied… [but] we are not at our peak yet and we have to see what can be done better, because we can do that.’

The Netherlands is expected to win its next match against the weaker Chile on Wednesday night, when it will have the chance to clinch the group win and a quarter-final place.

The semi-finals will be held in Terrassa, Spain the other World Cup host city.