By Emily Goddard

Jeroen Hertzberger and Seve van Ass scored the first symbolic goals at the GreenFields Stadium ©FIH/Frank UijlenbroekApril 30 - The GreenFields Stadium, the second venue for this year's Hockey World Cup in The Hague, has officially been opened.

The venue, located next to the main Kyocera Stadium, was opened with Dutch internationals Jeroen Hertzberger and Seve van Ass scoring the first symbolic goals, with keeper Jaap Stockmann being joined in goal by World Cup mascot Stockey.

"We're really impressed with how the pitch looks and feels," Stockmann said.

"The pitch feels fast and quite settled like it has been here for awhile, so, it should be very exciting for the tournament."

GreenFields started developing the World Cup surface over two years ago, with the preparation of the ground taking six months.

The same turf will be used in the Kyocera Stadium when the football pitch is temporarily replaced from May 7.

Following the conclusion of the World Cup, due to take place from May 31 to June 15, the GreenFields turf will be handed over to local hockey club Ypenburg.

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