The Orange Women suffered a devastating defeat in the Nations League on Friday. Coach Andries Jonker’s team lost 4-0 to Germany in Bremen.
Orange was outplayed in the Weserstadion of football club Werder Bremen and was already down 3-0 at halftime. The damage was eventually limited to 4-0.
Due to the loss, Orange finishes second in its Nations League group, which also includes Austria and Scotland. Germany crowns itself group winner and thus qualifies for the Final Four in October.
Although placement for that Final Four was not a primary goal for Orange, the defeat will hit Jonker and his team hard. Germany was the last major opponent Orange faced heading into the European Championship next summer in Switzerland.
Jonker had labeled the match against the German women as a “dress rehearsal” for the final tournament. But in that dress rehearsal, it turned out that Orange is currently far short against a top country like Germany.
It is a worrying observation heading towards the European Championship, where Orange will face top countries France and England in the group stage in just over a month. Wales is the other opponent.
Orange Outplayed in Bremen
A mitigating circumstance was that Orange played without the unfit Vivianne Miedema, Lineth Beerensteyn and Daphne van Domselaar. Without these crucial forces, Jonker had to puzzle in his line-up.
He opted for a 3-5-2 formation with Romée Leuchter and Jill Roord in the front line. Lize Kop, who replaced Van Domselaar, was in goal as expected. Kop could not prevent Orange from conceding three goals before half time.
The keeper was helpless after nine minutes on a shot by Linda Dallmann in the top corner and after a little half hour Lea Schüller ticked in the 2-0. Sarai Linder made the third German goal just before half time.
The 3-0 halftime score was a logical reflection of the balance of power. Orange was toothless against the more energetic Germany, which profited from the large spaces and several times simply played towards the Dutch goal.
In addition, the Dutch national team made many mistakes: from misses in passing to players who simply let their opponents walk or defended on the wrong side.
Wake-up Call for Orange?
After the 2-0, the Orange players formed a circle on the field to discuss what to do next. Jonker stood in front of his dugout throughout the first half to give directions. It was all in vain.
After the break, Victoria Pelova, Sherida Spitse and Lynn Wilms came into the team for Kerstin Casparij, Damaris Egurrola and Esmee Brugts. Nevertheless, there was no turnaround.
In fact, a minute after the break, Schüller was allowed to head in the 4-0 for Germany from close range unhindered. The home team switched back after the break, saving Orange from further damage. Although Kop prevented the 5-0 with a great save.
Nevertheless, Orange’s confidence took a severe blow a month before the European Championship start. Jonker and his team hope that this devastating match in Bremen will prove to be a necessary wake-up call in a month or two towards a successful final tournament.