The Netherlands’ run to the Women’sWorld Cup final belies the reputation of the Dutch for punctuality.
In grammar school, Dutch kids are given agendas so they can learn the art of calendaring. Being on time is ingrainedinto them at an early age.
Somewhere along the line, the Leeuwinnen didn’t get the message.
The Netherlands is the reigning European champion but needed to win two playoffrounds to just qualify for the World Cup after finishing second in its group to Norway. It’s won all six games it’s played in France but led at the half in none of them, beginning with its opener whenit defeated New Zealand, 1-0, on a goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
The Leeuwinnen’s toughest game came in the round of 16 when they needed a controversial handball call in the90th minute to defeat Japan, 2-1, on Lieke Martens‘ penalty kick.
Crucially, the Dutch will face the USA on Sunday with one less day of rest after needing overtime to dispose ofSweden, 1-0, in the semifinals. And that was after a 2-0 win over Italy in the afternoon heat in Valenciennes. The Dutch federation even petitioned FIFA to get the kickoff time pushed back, to noavail.
The Dutch showed their fatigue on Wednesday night in Lyon. In contrast to the pulsating USA-England match the night before, the Netherlands-Sweden match was a drawn-out affair,ending 0-0 after 90 minutes.
The front three of Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), Shanice van de Sanden (Lyon) and Martens (Barcelona) was expected to be one of the best at theWorld Cup, but the Oranje has managed just 12 goals in six games, fewer than the USA scored in its opening win over Thailand.
Martens injured her toe celebrating her winning goal againstJapan, played the entire 90 minutes against Italy but left the Sweden game at halftime.
“It didn’t feel good,” she said after afterwards, “and for me then it is easy — if I don’t feel 100 percent then I want another girl to come in and give 100 percent, that’s easy. The team is better with another girl playing at 100 percent than me playing at Idon’t know what kind of percent.”
Van de Sanden, the only player from French and European champion Olympique Lyonnais still alive in the World Cup, was so poor that CoachSarina Wiegman finally benched the winger for the Sweden match in favor of Lineth Beerensteyn. Van de Sanden did get into the game in the 70th minute, however, and added a spark to theDutch attack, forcing Swedish keeper Hedvig Lindahl into making a save late in regulation.
Van de Sanden was one of the heroes for the host Dutch at Euro 2017 where they capped offtheir run with a 4-2 win over Denmark in the final. Van de Sanden’s play, like that of the Oranje in general, has come in for sharp criticism from the Dutch media, something Wiegman says her playerssimply have to ignore.
“Shanice is a very important player for all of us and for a long period of time she scored goals,” said Wiegman, who played at North Carolina. “She assistedgoals and now in this very tournament her performance is slightly lowered. However, the opponents are stronger as well and it’s difficult for her. The media is criticizing her a little bit toopersonal, however, the entire squad is facing criticism.”
Following the two semifinals, the Dutch media regarded the Orange performance a shadow of what the Americans produced againstEngland, but the Dutch players are still hopeful.
The backline in front of keeper Sari van Veenendaal has been steady, allowing only three goals in six games, and the midfield ofJackie Groenen, Danielle van de Donk and Sherida Spitse has been outstanding.
The USA will be heavily favored, which is what Van de Donk likes.
“Ilove being underdogs,” she said after Wednesday’s win. “It’s the best role you can be in. I like it. I don’t know the English word but I don’t think they thinkwe’re that good. Underestimate? Yes, that’s it. That is going to be an advantage for us.”
Netherlands at Women’s WorldCup:
Netherlands 1 New Zealand 0. (Roord 90+2. Att.: 10,654.)
Netherlands 3 Cameroon 1. (Miedema 41, 85, Bloodworth 48; Onguene 43. Att.:22,423.)
Netherlands 2 Canada 1. (Dekker 54, Beerensteyn 75; Sinclair 60. Att.: 19,277.)
Netherlands 2 Japan 1. (Martens 17, pen. 90; Hasegawa 43.Att.: 21,076.)
Netherlands 2 Italy 0. (Miedema 70, van der Gragt 80. Att.: 22,600.)
Netherlands 1 Sweden 0. (Groenen 99. Att.: 48,452.)
I watched the first half of the match, hoping to see something special in the Dutch play. I was disappointed.
Perhaps tired legs will force the Dutch to play smarter in the final. Either way I expect a tough match for both nations.
Did not expect to see anything special with the Dutch as I would with any of the women’s teams, other than perhaps the style of play they follow. I just enjoy the game for what it was, nothing more ,nothing less. I”m happy for the Dutch that they got this far considering Dutch women’s soccer has a long way to go in Holland.
I expect the Americans to win, not due to superior style of soccer but they have the horses , fight, energy and depth to win it easily….
I was surprised at how much the other teams play like the US. Going from memory, I think I saw something different from Japan and Spain, a more possession oriented style (with Spain it was durinng the friendly but not at the final). I also thought England played a bit like the better EPL teams 10 years ago (442 with a striker pair and a playmaker).
I will be surprised if Spain and Japan are not playing possession style in the next cycle.
Bob, we’ll see. I hope the English keep Phil Neville. I would like to see all the women teams get high level coaches to boost their level up a notch. I would love to see a frank de Boer type or Tata type come into coach or even a Zico
IMHO, the Dutch men disgraced themselves in their most recent World Cup final with their violent and cynical play in a losing effort. The referee, unfortunately, did not rein them in. Here’s hoping that the Dutch women, particularly given their likely level of fatigue entering the game, will not resort to the same tactics. If they do, hopefully the woman referee will be better prepared to respond appropriately than her male predecessor was just a few years back!
More cameras needed on the pitch to take the focus out of the game and into a facial ping-pong exercise of suffocating the TV game. In your face cameras at NFL, NHL, NBA, tennis, golf, etc. Appears as if the TV director(s) want more Hollywood drama, and not the sport in its best light.
David that was in 2010 against Spain….
He is an outstanding coach.