July 27 – Netherlands coach Andries Jonker had mixed feelings following an intense 1-1 draw with the United States in Group E, a result that allows the Dutch to claim top spot at the expense of the Americans in their final group game. “I didn’t sign for this,” lamented Jonker.
Before the blockbuster fixture, a repeat of the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Jonker had insinuated that Europe and the Netherlands were closing the gap with the US, the defending world champions, and his charges seemed to prove his point with a dominant first-half performance and a goal through Manchester City midfielder Jill Roord before the Americans rallied in the second hald to equalize and then almost overwhelm the 2017 European champions.
“We wanted to win, said Jonker. “In the second half, the US was so strong that we have to be happy with 1-1.”
The Dutch were the better side after Roord’s opening goal, but could not capitalise despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession. They exposed the US, who came into the tournament as sky-high favourites to defend their title.
Jonker, the successor to Mike Pearsons, alluded to his words before the match. “It is a very ambitious goal, to strive within a year to play toe-to-toe against the US and make Dutch fans at home in their living rooms in the middle of the night happy. It’s not that we can sweep the US aside, but we showed in the first half what we can do and we want – at times it was fantastic.”
But two substitutions at half-time changed the match’s destiny. US manager Vlatko Andonovski responded to his side’s insipid first half by bringing on Rose Lavelle, while Jonker was forced to take off defensive stalwart Stefanie van der Gragt on the insistence of the team doctor. US captain Lindsey Horan equalised with a header at the near post and the Dutch were on the back foot in the closing stages of the match as the Americans chased a winner.
Jonker said the team felt Van Der Gragt’s absence, but the Dutch could clinch top spot in Group E with a big win against Vietnam in their final group game. “We do not underestimate Vietnam in any way,” said Jonker.
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