The Orange women took an important step towards next year’s World Cup on Tuesday. In an empty Grolsch Veste in Enschede, Belarus was defeated 3-0. Jill Roord, Aniek Nouwen and Lineth Beerensteyn scored.
The Netherlands therefore takes over the lead in the qualifying group from Iceland, which still has a home game against Belarus on September 2. The decision falls when the Orange receives Iceland four days later for the final group match.
The match between the Netherlands and Belarus was finished in a ghostly setting. There was no public welcome, there were no national anthems and there was no press conference afterwards.
The KNVB initially did not want to play the game at all, because Belarus supports Russian warfare in Ukraine. However, the boycott was not followed by other countries. To avoid a regulatory defeat, it was still decided to play, but under sober conditions.
The game was shifted from April to June, so that it falls exactly in the European Championship preparation of the Orange. On July 9, the team of national coach Mark Parsons will start defending the European title with a group match against Sweden.
Standings qualifying group C
- 1. Netherlands 7-17 (+27)
- 2. Iceland 6-15 (+17)
- 3. Belarus 6-7 (-6)
- 4. Czech Republic 6-5 (+2)
- 5. Cyprus 7-1 (-40)
Martens important with two assists
The Netherlands regretted themselves on Friday by losing a 5-1 exhibition game against England. The match against Belarus, which already has no chance for World Cup participation, was a great opportunity to refuel some confidence.
Parsons therefore chose his strongest line-up. Only Daniëlle van de Donk, who has just returned from a lingering foot injury, was missing from the basic team. She came in in the second half for Vivianne Miedema, who was unable to make her mark.
Nevertheless, it was one-way traffic in Enschede. The opening goal came after just under fifteen minutes. Roord tapped in at the first post, after a cross by Lieke Martens, who was elusive for her direct opponent on the left flank.
Nouwen headed in the 2-0 after about an hour, after a measured free kick by Sherida Spitse. Substitute Beerensteyn made it 3-0 after another assist from Martens just before the end of the game against the exhausted Belarus.