Netherlands beat Wales 3-0 after the Welsh had frustrated their opponents in the first half. But on the stroke of half time Vivianne Miedema scored her 100th Dutch goal in spectacular style. Before Victoria Pelova and Esmee Brugts put the icing on the cake in the second forty five.
Wales made their major tournament bow on a historic day for Welsh football on Saturday on a boiling hot day in Luzern. There was a collective sigh of relief when taliswomanic midfielder Jess Fishlock’s name was on the team sheet, the legendary Seattle Reign midfielder was fit to start.
Netherlands on the other hand had endured a turbulent build up to this one with Andries Jonker causing a stir and yesterday grumbling through an ill tempered presser. The big news for the Dutch team was that captain and leading caps holder Sheridan Spitse was dropped to the bench with Miedema given the arm band.
The Line ups:
WAL: Clark; Roberts, Evans, Esther Morgan; Green, James, Ladd, Woodham; Holland, Fishlock, Cain
NED: Van Domselaar; Brugts, Buurman, Janssen, Casparij; Kaptein, Van de Donk, Groenen; Roord, Pelova, Miedema
The Action:
Wales started quite understandably looking nervy but they grew into the first half, and gained confidence in their stout rear guard. Netherlands were struggling to get Miedema into the match as much as they would have liked and Rhian Wilkinson’s charges were having their way.
A stinging shot from outside the box ricocheting off the post was a warning shot across the bows for Wales from Jill Roord. It was a warning they were unable to heed. On the stroke of half time Miedema picked up the ball on the edge of the box. Poised, she cut inside, outside and inside again before curling a majestic finish into the top corner. The Manchester City striker could have been closed down quicker but the quality of the finish was unquestionable.
In order to have any chance of coming back into the match in the second half Wales needed to be tight at the back. But within minutes of the second half Cymru were picked apart in a way they had not been in the first half. Veerle Buurman played a majestic through ball to Danielle van de Donk who had found space in between the lines. Pelova stormed into the box and connected with van de Donk’s cut back to fire past Olivia Clark.
Netherlands threatened to increase the arrears, as Jackie Groenen fired the ball against the bar. However Netherlands refused to be denied, recycling possession after the Groenen miss as Barcelona wide player Brugts connected with Danielle van de Donk’s cross to make it 3-0 to Netherlands.
The Dutch came close again on more than one occasion before the end. The OranjeLeeuwinnen even found the back of the net again in spectacular fashion through Lineth Beerensteyn but Wales were saved further torment by the offside flag.
The Halfway Line’s Player of the Match: Danielle van de Donk
It feels difficult to give the player of the match award to anyone but Miedema after she made history. However Danielle van de Donk’s quiet brilliance pushed the match out of reach for Wales. Her run for the second goal took advantage of an unsettled Welsh defence after they were forced into a change at half time. It was also her inch perfect cross to Brugts that gave Netherlands their third. A conductor’s performance in the midfield.
One hundred not out for Vivianne Miedema
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands was in the stands to support the Dutch but it was royalty of another kind that stole the headlines. Footballing royalty won the show as Miedema fired in after an indifferent first half from her side.
Miedema had started the match in a rusty manner, a couple of poor touches in advanced positions were uncharacteristic. With the match pondering into it’s final first half moments, Miedema, who had the least touches of any player in the first half had the only touch that mattered. And with it Miedema scored a history making wonder goal, reaching 100 goals for her National team. No player male nor female has more.
With Sheridan Spitse starting on the bench Miedema fittingly had the armband to make history and Netherlands got their tournament off to the perfect start.
Wales make history despite defeat
The first official game for Wales women was a mere 31 years ago, four years after Sheridan Spitse who came on in the second half for Netherlands was born. Wales were even withdrawn from qualifying by the FAW in 2005, because it was too far, too costly. The FAW accepted the fine from FIFA and moved on. A mere twenty years later and today Wales lined up on the world’s stage to make their debut in the same competition.
A couple of goals either side of half time put the match to bed, but for Wales this is about so much more than just the result and the players know it. With mere minutes remaining and Wales three goals down, Lily Woodham heroically blocked Chasity Grants effort off the line with the goal gaping. Moments later it was Gemma Evans who slid in with a perfectly timed tackle, there is plenty of heart left in this team.
A spine tingling anthem of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau to open the match was one of the most emotional moments of the tournament so far. Just as special was the fans rendition sung from the stands in the dying minutes of the match.
The Welsh players and their fans made their nation proud tonight.
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