Professional Hockey League: England’s men secured a penalty shootout win over the Netherlands after a last-gasp equalizer

The England men beat the Netherlands on penalties after earning a thrilling last-minute equalizer in the FIH Pro Hockey League in Valencia.

With 19 seconds left in the match, Henry Croft scored a 2-2 equalizer before England won 4-3 to achieve its second victory on penalties over the Netherlands within three days.

England has moved to second place in the standings after seven matches, three points behind the Netherlands, which has played one match more.

The Dutch took the lead through Jos Janssen in the second quarter, but equalized just before half-time when Croft converted a corner kick.

Jonas de Geus put the Netherlands ahead from the penalty spot in the 34th minute, but despite dominating most of the rest of the game, they failed to find a win as Croft equalized in dramatic fashion.

The England Women, who also played the Netherlands in China, suffered a 3-1 defeat as the Dutch extended their perfect record.

Darcy Bourne’s pass from a corner kick put England into an unlikely lead, but the Netherlands equalized in the second quarter through Yossi Borg’s pass.

The Netherlands took control of the match after that, and Jippe Janssen scored from a corner kick to put her team in front, before Ben Dicke sealed the victory late on.

England ranks fifth in the standings with five points from seven matches, while the Netherlands tops the standings with 21 points after winning all seven of its matches.