The emotions that erupt in the orange camp after the final whistle actually told the whole story. Tears flowed in abundance on the blue track of the Olympic stadium. Tears of happiness, of disbelief, of relief and even of sadness. Once and for all the era of ‘Alyson Annan’ had been put to an end, which a large part of the player group thinks back on with horror.
To this day, some internationals struggle with what happened to them under Annan’s alleged dictatorial rule in recent years. That no more.
Wrong preparation
Even the always friendly interim national team coach Jamilon Mülders could not banish the specter hanging above the selection from the minds of his disciples. It caused a lack of preparation. In that respect it is a miracle that his team successfully defended the world title.
And that world title was unique: never before has a country won three World Cups in a row organized by the International Hockey Federation (FIH). In the eighties of the last century, the Netherlands also became world champion three times in succession, but the 1983 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur was a co-production between the FIH and the IFWHA, the former international women’s hockey association.
Extra unique
The successful seizure of power in Terrassa is also extra unique for the thirties Eva de Goede (33), Lidewij Welten (32), Margot van Geffen (32) and the twenties Marloes Keetels (29) and Xan de Waard (26). They are the first hockey players to win three World Cups in a row. Lisette Sevens, Elsemieke Havenga and Sandra Le Poole also have three World Cup victories to their name, but did not win them in a row.
Tiki Taka in Terrassa
Orange had a for the first time in the tournament shaky Start. At the first penalty corner, within the minute, Marloes Keetels took a ball from his own goal line. Leave that to the defensive midfielder. Argentina opened furiously, but could not break the Dutch defense.
Scenic tiki taka attack
However, the first big chance of the Orange, early in the second quarter, was immediately hit. Yibbi Jansen, who had decorated a penalty corner in unison with Felice Albers, dragged hard on Belen Succi’s goal from the top of the circle. The tall keeper couldn’t control the ball and saw Maria Verschoor emerge from a box like a devil and sweep the ball in with her tip: 1-0.
The 1-0 is well celebrated.
ANP/HH
Even before the end of the first half, the Orange squad, the number 1 in the world since 2011, handed out a resounding upper-cut to the South American rival. Pien Sanders reached Laurien Leurink from a hit, who set Frédérique Matla free in the circle with a gossamer pass. The striker lured Succi out of the goal to double the lead with a deadly backhand. The Orange Legion was overjoyed and loudly proclaimed that Matla was on fire.
Orange had saved the best for last. Mülders’ team, which itself won its first prize as the person ultimately responsible, had shaken off all pent-up frustrations and played the best game of the year. With the 3-0 of Albers as the most beautiful goal of the year. The Amsterdam player stood at the end of a picturesque tiki taka attack, precisely in the city where Xavi, one of the exponents of FC Barcelona’s tiki taka football, saw the light of day. The fact that Agustina Gorzelany still scored against the Orange did not spoil the fun.
Felice Albers is overjoyed with her goal.
ANP/HH