Dutch women’s team wins from Austria, but misses Schwung, sharpness and shape

About three months before the start of the European Championship in Switzerland, the Dutch women’s team does not yet have the Schwung, the sharpness and the form that is needed to achieve what it wants to achieve: the European title. While national coach Andries Jonker, after months of injuries among his players, now have an (almost) fit selection, he does not seem to know exactly how he wants to play and with whom.

This was apparent in the last few days at two meetings with Austria in the tournament for the Nations League. Both games were won 3-1-Friday at home in Almelo; Tuesday evening out in Altach – but the Orange women did not play the dominant, attacking and attractive game that Jonker demands of them. The game generally looked sloppy; The players did not seem well attuned to each other. Too often, the national coach Jonker said irritated on Friday, they played the ball « to the wrong color. »

That will largely have to do with the constant changes that Jonker himself makes in his team, both in the (basic) arrangement and in the game system. In the away match against Austria, there were only four players in the base who also appeared at the kick -off last Friday. Experienced forces that are normally a permanent choice for Jonker were on the bank this time – including top scorer Vivianne Miedema (97 goals now in 123 international matches).

Pointed record international

In addition, Jonker is still looking for the ideal composition of his team, especially in the defense. Since the fall, in four practice games, he tried out a number of debutants, including Veerle Buurman of PSV. The only 18-year-old talent constantly alternates Jonker in the heart of his defense with Sherida Spitse, sixteen years older.

On Friday, neighbor was in the base – and played an unfortunate game. On Tuesday Spitse was allowed to start again, making the experienced captain European Record international with now 241 international matches behind her name. Even in the game system, the coach regularly lets his team try out something else.

Asked about the motive of his changing tactics, the national coach avoids the verb ‘experimenting’. « I would like to see some things, » he told the NOS shortly before the game. In an online press conference the day earlier, Jonker explained that the space for trying out is becoming smaller as the European Championship gets closer and that he more or less has the final group he wants to take with him to Switzerland. « This group consists of players that I am convinced that they are eligible. Outside of this group there are a few who compete, but this is the core. »

Danielle van de Donk, the experienced midfielder of Olympique Lyon, saw it a little different on Friday evening. « I don’t know if Andries already has a permanent team in mind, » she said about her coach.

‘Lack of concentration’

The Orange showed in the last few days sloppy and changeable game: moments of good combination football that were interspersed with unnecessary ball loss, which, according to the national coach, were due to « lack of concentration. » The defense in particular was restless on Friday and was difficult to deal with the pressure from Austria. « If you want to become a European champion, you should play football better than tonight, » said the national coach on Friday after the game against Austria during the press conference.

Due to the changing compositions, it is not yet possible to form a stable line of defense. The collaboration between routinier Dominique Janssen and the young neighbor is an example of the search for balance. Janssen: « The more you play together, the better you learn to understand each other. »

On Tuesday evening, the national coach wanted to do it differently and « start determining the match ». But in the first half this was still hard to find. The Netherlands often played in its own half, under pressure from Austria and hard to attack. Austria opened the score due to a misunderstanding between Esmee Brugts and Victoria Pelova, but the Orange responded quickly with a goal from Wieke Kaptein after the kick -off.

The rest of the first half was sloppy, especially in the defense, where Brugts made mistakes several times. In the second half, the Netherlands came strong from the dressing room and forced Austria to defend. After a shot on the Pelova pole, Van de Donk headed into the ball. Federal coach Jonker was satisfied with the game shown afterwards. « We get rid of us and played armed this time, » said Jonker after the game against the media. « I saw excellent football at times. It was much better than in Almelo. »

New Domper Miedema

Twenty minutes before the end of the time, Miedema’s final score with a beautiful shot along keeper Manuela Zinsberger. A cheerful moment for the Manchester City striker who was injured last year and had difficulty reaching her old level in the Orange. She couldn’t enjoy it for long because Miedema fell out again a little later with an injury – she grabbed her hamstring and had to leave the field.

A big damper for national coach Jonker in the further preparation for the European Championship. Last Friday, regular keeper Daphne van Domselaar was already injured. « I’m worried, » Jonker said meaningfully.

With the six points achieved from two games, the Netherlands has reached the next round of the Nations League – a not very relevant tournament in the year of the European Championship.

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