The Orange Lionesses have suffered another setback a few days after the debacle in Germany. Just over a month before the European Championship, coach Andries Jonker’s team could not get past 1-1 in the Nations League home match against Scotland.
Orange suffered a hopeless defeat in Bremen against Germany (4-0) on Friday. Coach Andries Jonker called it the worst match under his leadership and hoped that his team would recover against Scotland.
In Tilburg, this initially seemed to be the case after a quick opening goal from Roord, but Scotland came back to 1-1 after half an hour. Orange then struggled against the number 24 in the world, which even got the better chances after the break.
In this way, Orange suffered a new setback towards the European Championship next summer, where the Netherlands wants to win the European title, just like in 2017. At the moment, Jonker’s team seems miles away from the level of a European champion.
Orange will have one more chance to boost confidence before the European Championship. On June 26, Finland will be the opponent in the farewell match in Leeuwarden. Nine days later, the European Championship match against Wales awaits. Further group matches will follow with England (June 9) and France (June 13).
Orange defensively vulnerable again
Compared to the debacle in Bremen, Jonker opted for five new players. Daphne van Domselaar returned in goal and Sherida Spitse and Caitlin Dijkstra started in central defence. Victoria Pelova and Daniëlle van de Donk were also allowed to start.
In a 4-3-3 formation – Orange had played in 3-5-2 in the last matches – the Netherlands was the dominant party. The lead after ten minutes was deserved. Roord shot in after the Scottish keeper had saved her first attempt.
Roord was the most active on the Orange side and was twice denied by Scottish keeper Lee Gibson before half-time. And the Netherlands got more opportunities. Esmee Brugts, Victoria Pelova and Romeé Leuchter were also close to scoring.
Yet the score was level at half-time. Just like in Germany, Orange was particularly vulnerable defensively, especially in the transition. Although Orange invariably initiated the Scottish danger themselves by clumsily losing the ball. Including the 1-1.
Orange to European Championship with doubt
Orange was lucky after losing the ball by Roord, but after a hospital ball from Dijkstra, Scotland did benefit. This was mainly due to Spitse, who let her opponent walk away from her back and saw her score.
It was indicative of Spitse’s unhappy match, who stood out negatively by excelling in personal mistakes and did not finish the match.
As the match progressed, things did not improve for Orange, who got away well after shots from Erin Cuthbert and Kirsty Howat. Both times Van Domselaar saved brilliantly.
And just before time, Van Domselaar again made a good save after Martha Thomas had popped up freely in front of her nose. Orange only countered the Scottish attack with one big chance after the break: Roord shot wide from about fourteen meters.
Jonker hoped that Orange would “play well and win” against Scotland. That didn’t work. Thus, Tuesday evening’s match only raised more doubts towards the European Championship.