Reims (AFP)
The Netherlands, with their victory against Canada (2-1) Thursday in Reims, finished first in Group E, synonymous with more favorable table for the knockout matches of the World Cup-2019.
The European champion, who will play against Japan on June 25, avoids a possible quarter-final against Germany, one of the favorites. Canada, second in its pool, will have to wait until the end of the Sweden-United duel, Wednesday at 21:00 (19:00 GMT), to know the identity of his opponent.
If fans "oranje" fizzled the stadium Auguste-Delaune for more than 90 minutes in a fanfare atmosphere, the show not to be missed was a few hours before the kickoff.
After Le Havre and Valenciennes, the Batavian fans reiterated their "fan walk" in the city center of Reims. From the famous cathedral to the Champenoise Sports Center, the impressive orange procession, festive and musical, has caused a rare effervescence over several hundred meters.
Even the employees of a bank gave up their position a few minutes, time to make some photos and videos. Blessed bread for tournament organizers and local trade.
For those who took place at the stadium, however, it was not necessary to arrive late. In the second minute, Canada received a penalty kick: Desiree Van Lunteren, lost the ball after a bad check before mowing Janine Beckie involuntarily. What make the Dutch kop furious!
- Winning Coaching -
But Stephanie Frappart, the French referee of the meeting, came back on his decision after a long reflection with the video assistance (VAR), the fault having taken place just outside the penalty area. Christine Sinclair finally pulled the free kick into the wall (4th).
In this standoff between two of the main underdogs of the competition, the meeting almost turned to an individual feat.
Dutch N.9 Vivianne Miedema managed, in the manner of a Ruud van Nistelrooy, a high-level sequence in the area to clear his opponent but his shot ended on the post (34 '). Too perfect!
After the break, the Netherlands finally managed to materialize their domination: the reception of a free kick, the defender of Montpellier Anouk Dekker took the head to open the score (1-0, 54th).
A short-term advantage The veteran Christine Sinclair (36) equalized in the wake by resuming a center-graph of PSG side Ashley Lawrence (1-1, 60).
The coaching of Sara Wiegman, especially the replacement of her star Lieke Martens by Lineth Beerensteyn (70th), will make the difference. Five minutes after coming into play, the supersonic winger initiates a dangerous action by a series of dribbles ... before finding herself at the conclusion (2-1, 75th).
A prestigious victory which now places the Netherlands as a serious contender for the final victory.
? 2019 AFP