Scotland’s opening fixture of the women's Hockey World League semi-finals ended in defeat as the Netherlands showed their class in Brussels.
The Scots went down 4-0 to the Dutch in their first Pool A encounter, though their competition is far from over as they prepare to do battle with China on Thursday evening, while Korea and Italy also occupy their group-stage attentions.
They started in defeat however, with Frederique Matla opening the scoring six minutes into the first quarter courtesy of a close-range reverse strike.
Netherlands kept in control, but it wasn’t without some stoic Scottish defence, though the lead was doubled when Laurien Leurink slotted home right at the end of the first quarter.
That was to be the same come the end of the second quarter, with Scotland sensing a possible fightback come the second half.
It wasn’t to materialise however, as Lauren Stam added a third on the 33rd minute for the Dutch, increasing the lead to three and all but end the contest, firing home well from a short corner.
Still the Scots kept coming in Belgium, beginning to forge more and more attacks as the game went on, the most notable of those falling at the feet of Robyn Collins five minutes from time.
However a fourth was to come the way of the Dutch in the shape of Kitty van Male, once more profiting from some excellent attacking play.
Elsewhere in the pool China, who Scotland next play on Thursday, finished all square with Italy. Sportsbeat 2017