The Dutch women’s national team defeated Belgium 2-0 at the European Championships in Mönchengladbach on Sunday. After Felice Albers scored 1-0, Belgium had the chance to draw 1-1, but just before that it was Frederic Matla who converted a penalty kick and sealed the match. Belgium again presented itself as an opponent who could make it difficult for the Netherlands, but did not put the oranges on the shelf. This was the second victory for Paul van As’s team in this European Championship.
Under national coach Van As, the Dutch national team has been preparing for weeks for opponents who are withdrawing. As expected, the Red Panthers also put up a wall early in the game. Orange were allowed to play endlessly down to 23 metres, but had trouble creating chances. The two penalty corners that were decorated in the first quarter were not converted. Yibbi Jansen pulled the ball straight to Belgian goalkeeper Aisling D’Hooghe. Frédéric Matla hit the goalkeeper’s boot.
After the Belgians held back the Netherlands in the opening stage, it was they themselves who went on the attack. But after Rene van Laarhoven made the mistake of removing the stinger from the Belgian counter and Ben Sanders saw through the Belgian substitute’s penalty on the outspoken Charlotte Engelbert, the Netherlands once again dominated. Early in the second quarter, the Orange should have taken the lead. From the back line, Joosje Burg dispatched his teammate Freeke Moes, who had the ball in front of the shot. But the striker from Amsterdam pushed straight in the direction of goalkeeper D’Hooghe.
Pepe Jansen scored three goals against Spain on Saturday but was inaccurate against Belgium. Photo: William Ferns
Felis Albers breaks the spell
The picture of the game remained the same in the minutes that followed. By passing the ball from wing to wing, the Netherlands hoped to find a hole in the Belgian defence. Above all, Orange had to be patient. Midfielder Felis Albers eventually broke the spell. At the top of the circle, I got out of the round: 1-0. The goal the Netherlands needed to get more space.
But meanwhile it was the Belgians who also got out of their shells and increasingly went in search of a target with quick turns. Delphine Marien forced Jozen Koning – who was substituted for Anne Veenendaal after the break – to make a save at the far post. Belgium also created danger early in the third quarter. The Netherlands could breathe a sigh of relief when the Red Panthers mislabeled a decorated penalty corner for the second time in the game, preventing them from paying. So the Netherlands maintained a 1-0 lead.
A big obstacle for the Orange was the Belgian goalkeeper Aisling D’Hooghe. Photo: William Ferns
Matla did what Belgium failed to do
The Orange then regained control and pressured Belgium back into their own half. The highlight of the third quarter was a great backhand shot by Zane de Ward, who hit the orange with his hand. The ball appeared to fly toward the ropes, but with a beautiful dive and block with her glove, D’Hooghe kept her team in the game.
After the Netherlands lost VAR early in the fourth quarter, Belgium pressed again in search of an equalizing goal. Barbara Nelin ran towards goalkeeper Veenendaal, but could not find a co-player. Charlotte Engelbert shot wide. It could have been 1-1, but Belgium were sloppy with the odds.
Four minutes before the end, the Netherlands ended the match. Frédéric Matla pulled the ball from the penalty spot through Michelle Stroek against the board: 2-0. The Dutch have not yet played this European tournament as impressively as last month in the Pro League, but victory over Belgium means the Netherlands can quietly work towards the semi-finals, for which they are now qualified.
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