Amsterdam v SCHC: Second Meets Third in the Women’s Hoofdklasse Game of the Weekend

Den Bosch are running away with the women’s Hoofdklasse, perfect after eight rounds, and the chasing pack know it. But Sunday’s game at the Wagener Stadium is the one that decides who stays in the race. Amsterdam host SCHC, second against third, and the winner takes a big step towards keeping Den Bosch honest.

Why this game matters

SCHC are second on 21 points. Amsterdam are third on 19. Win on Sunday and SCHC go to 24, level with Den Bosch at the top. Win and Amsterdam jump to 22 and climb above SCHC into second.

Here’s the thing about both sides: they’ve each lost once this season, and both defeats came against Den Bosch. SCHC lost 2-0 at home to the leaders. Amsterdam lost 2-0 at home to them. Nobody else has beaten either of them. This is the first meeting between the two this season, and it’s a genuine test of who is the best of the rest.

Last weekend: both sides cruised

Round 8 was comfortable for both. SCHC won 5-0 at HDM, and Amsterdam beat HGC 4-0 at home. Den Bosch, meanwhile, beat Rotterdam 4-0, with Frédérique Matla scoring all four. That took her to 20 goals for the season, and she’s running away with the scoring charts.

SCHC’s Yibbi Jansen is second in that race on 14, and she’ll be the player Amsterdam have to stop. Kampong’s Iris de Kemp is third on 10.

Elsewhere in Round 8, Hurley beat Kampong 3-0, Bloemendaal beat bottom side Victoria 3-1, and Pinoké drew 2-2 with Oranje-Rood.

The table

Den Bosch lead on 24 with eight wins from eight, 34 goals scored and one conceded. SCHC have 21 from seven wins and one defeat. Amsterdam have 19 from six wins, a draw and a defeat. Behind them, Hurley have 15, Rotterdam 14, Kampong 11, Pinoké and Oranje-Rood nine each, Bloemendaal seven, HDM six, HGC three and Victoria are still without a point.

The fixture

Amsterdam v SCHC, Sunday 15 November, 12:45pm CET (4:45pm PKT), Wagener Stadium.