Netherlands (Graphic by Michael Alesich)
Netherlands (Graphic by Michael Alesich)
 
Head Coach: Sarina Wiegman 
 Group: F
Confederation: UEFA Ranking: 3
Highest 3 (2008-2010)
Lowest 18 (2006-2007)
Federation: Dutch Football Association
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The Netherlands women’s football team have been on the rise almost exclusively since the establishment of the Women’s Eredivisie in 2007, a period which coincided with their lowest ranking of 18.

Playing their first recognised FIFA international match in 1971, the Oranje had a relatively inauspicious run through the 80s and 90s, unsuccessful in their attempts to qualify for European Championships and World Cups.

In 2009 they finally made the podium in a major tournament, the UEFA Women’s Championship, but had a disappointing 12th place finish four years later.

By 2015 the Oranje qualified for their first FIFA Women’s World Cup, making it through to the Round of 16. Then in 2017, the Dutch hit the jackpot, hosting and winning the UEFA Women’s Championship defeating Denmark 4-2 at De Grolsch Veste, Enschede.

Lieke Martens was named Player of the Tournament and also awarded the Bronze Boot while Goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal, Anouk Dekker, Jackie Groenen, Martens and Captain Sherida Spitse were all named in the Team of the Tournament.

The 2018 Algarve Cup now sits beside their 2017 European Championship trophy and 2019 saw them come within a whisper of winning the World Cup, all the while rising to third in the world rankings with a record 2038.61pts.

Yeah, they’re doing alright.

Squad

Goalkeepers

  • Loes Geurts
  • Lize Kop
  • Sari van Veenendaal

Defenders

  • Anouk Dekker
  • Sisca Folkertsma
  • Dominique Janssen
  • Merel van Dongen
  • Kika van Es
  • Stefanie van der Gragt
  • Aniek Nouwen
  • Lynn Wilms

Midfielders

  • Jackie Groenen
  • Danielle van de Donk
  • Victoria Pelova
  • Sherida Spitse

Forwards

  • Lineth Beerensteyn
  • Renate Jansen
  • Inessa Kaagman
  • Lieke Martens
  • Vivianne Miedema
  • Jill Roord
  • Shanice van de Sanden

Coach

Sarina Wiegman has been at the helm since January 2017, delivering great success in her tenure, a tenure which is due to end after the Olympics. In September 2021 the straight-talking Dutch woman will take the reins in England. 

As reward and acknowledgement in part of Oranje’s 2017 European Championship win, Wiegman was named FIFA’s Best Women’s Coach.

Last Olympics

There’s a first time for everything. As surprising as it seems given recent results for the Dutch, this is the first time they will appear in the Olympic Women’s Football tournament.

Qualifying Path

The UEFA confederation receives three berths for the Olympic Games, with the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup serving as the qualifying tournament.

The Netherlands secured their spot via an undefeated run-up to the final before succumbing to the United States in front of almost 58,000 fans at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Read more: USA Olympic Preview

The Strengths

As their recent form will attest, the Oranje know how to perform in big tournaments. Coach Wiegman is a skilful tactician and they have absolutely world-class players in every position. 

The Dutch tend to be very capable of absorbing pressure and can withstand most dangerous attacks, forcing turnovers and launching their own counter-attacks.

They should also largely be match fit, with some of their players finishing up in the FA WSL only recently, and many others playing consistently across Europe.

The Challenge

There should be little challenge in the Group stage for the Oranje. Progressing to the knockout rounds should be almost a given. At that point, Wiegman will need to be fluid in her strategy to adapt as required against opponents so they’re not predictable.

The Dutch will also need to be mindful of more aggressive opponents swarming, forcing turnovers and hitting them on the counter-attack. If they’re absorbing pressure, Oranje will need to be mindful of sitting too far back, putting themselves forever in a dangerous position.

Key Players

Vivianne Miedema looks composed and sometimes nonplussed on the field, but her nonchalance belies her exquisite skills and goalscoring mastery. She is the WSL all-time leading goalscorer. 

From one end of the field to the other, goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal is also one to watch. Named FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year in 2019 plus the Golden Glove from the 2019 Women’s World Cup, van Veenendaal could be the difference.

Prediction

Expect to see the Oranje come out of the group stage sitting pretty on top.

If they manage to deliver on those expectations, we’ll see them face Group G runner up in the quarter-finals. Could that be USA, Sweden or Australia?

Any which way, it will be a big test for Wiegman’s team – though their recent friendly against the Matildas would suggest otherwise.

Matches

Date Local Time AEST Venue Team A v Team B
21/7/2021 8:00 PM 9:00 PM Miyagi Stadium Zambia vs Netherlands
24/7/2021 8:00 PM 9:00 PM Miyagi Stadium Netherlands vs Brazil
27/7/2021 8:30 PM 9:30 PM International Stadium Yokohama Netherlands vs China

 

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