Olympic field hockey was brought to a standstill Wednesday after distressing scenes unfolded in a women’s semifinal.
Dutch star Joosje Burg was clobbered in the face by a powerful shot when standing just a couple of feet away from her opponent as they contested a ball during the Netherlands’ clash with Argentina.
Burg’s face was left covered in blood in a sickening incident that resulted in the TV broadcast opting not to continue to show her condition as she was receiving treatment.
The broadcast showed the 27-year-old collapsed to the ground before her teammates raced to be by her side.
The medical staff were also quick to act and ran into the field immediately.
Burg was motionless on the ground for several minutes while receiving treatment with staff holding bandages to her nose.
Blood was seen pouring down her face as she was lying on the ground. Photos also showed the blood rushed down her face to fall on the field.
The match was paused for more than five minutes as she continued to receive medical attention.
Burg was eventually able to walk off the field with the help of four medical personnel.
It took even longer for the match to be re-started as officials needed to try and clean up the blood that was still on the field.
Incredibly, Burg was able to continue later in the match with her nose taped up.
Burg was not allowed to wear the same jersey due to the blood, and used a different one that didn’t have a number.
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Staff members had to craft a makeshift number out of tape so she could be identified by the referee on the pitch.
The score was still 0-0 when Burg suffered her injury with two minutes left in the first quarter.
Netherlands went on to win, 3-0, at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium.
They will now face China in the final after they defeated Belgium.
It will be the nation’s sixth consecutive hockey gold medal match.
The Dutch are seeking a record-extending fifth Olympic gold medal.