North Korea awaits in the final on Saturday. The tournament favorite and defending champion defeated Brazil 2-0 in the other semi-final. The Netherlands, the reigning European champions, have a lot of work to do, as Olivier Amelink’s team suffered a huge beating from North Korea in the group stage: 5-0.
But that is a matter for later. The Dutch Under-17 team has outdone itself in North Africa by reaching the World Cup final for the first time. “I don’t know what to say,” responded a bewildered captain and star Rosalie Renfurm (FC Utrecht). “I can’t describe how I feel. I am so happy. We fought as a team, this is the result of hard work.”
The Dutch juniors had a tough time with the Mexicans, but were closest to the opening goal before half time. After half an hour, Tess van der Vliet (PSV) hit the crossbar with a great swing from 25 meters and saw the ball bounce back and almost end up in the goal via the arm of goalkeeper Valentina Murrieta.
Unparalleled comeback, half bicycle kick and failed Krul substitution: Orange women under 17 after spectacle and penalties to World Cup semi-final
The decision finally came in the 69th minute: Anne Gelevert (FC Twente) put Touzani between two Mexicans with a clever ball, after which the attacker appeared in front of Murrieta. “I stopped for a moment, looked and thought: I’ll just shoot. And if it doesn’t go in, I’ll try again. But I’m glad he went in.”
Lina Touzani was born in Aberdeen
Touzani had a special month. A month ago, the talent secured her first Ajax contract and on Wednesday evening she scored her first World Cup goal, the most important goal of her young career. The fact that Touzani scored that goal in Morocco, the country where some of her roots lie, makes it extra special.
Funny enough, Lina Touzani was not born in Morocco or the Netherlands, but in Scotland. There her father, ex-professional footballer Karim Touzani, played for Aberdeen for two seasons. Amsterdammer Touzani also played for FC Utrecht, Sparta and FC Twente.
An Orange team has never become world champion
An almost impossible task awaits the Dutch girls in the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday. Not only has no Dutch team ever won the world title in any category. The Dutch men’s team (three times) and the Orange Lionesses (once) did manage to reach the World Cup final. But the greatest triumph of all did not materialize.
Then there is also opponent North Korea. That team has already become world champion three times and won all six of its matches in Morocco. The goal difference leaves no room for clarity: 22-3. But nothing is impossible. Or as Dutch coach Amelink said after the miraculous escape against France in the quarter-finals: “When the whole world thinks it is no longer possible, we stand up and are at our best.”