Orange wins ‘secret’ duel of boys’ team, no World Cup for Van Es and Hoekstra
NOS Soccer––Customized
The Dutch women’s team has won a practice match against a boys’ team from De Volewijckers in preparation for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The team of national coach Andries Jonker was 2-1 too strong for the Amsterdam amateur team in Zeist.
There was some fuss about the match beforehand, because, according to Jonker, the soccer association feared “image damage” to women’s soccer in the event of a possible big win for the boys’ team. The KNVB subsequently decided that the match should take place behind closed doors.
No World Cup for Van Es and Hoekstra
After the match, the KNVB announced that Kika van Es (PSV) and Tiny Hoekstra (Ajax) had dropped out of the pre-selection for the World Cup. For 32-year-old Van Es, that meant playing her last game as a soccer star. The 77-time international had already announced last month that she would quit after the World Cup.
Of the 26 remaining players, three have yet to drop out. Dominique Janssen and Lineth Beerensteyn will join the group on Tuesday. Jonker will announce his final selection on Friday.
Esmee Brugts (1-0) and Daniëlle van de Donk (2-1) provided the goals for the Orange against De Volewijckers. Ivar Wijna scored the 1-1 for the under 18 team in between. The entire Orange squad made playing minutes, the KNVB reported.
Jonker earlier explained to NOS his rationale for joining De Volewijckers’ boys team as an opponent. “We have not been able to find a women’s team that forces us to defend. In addition, I want the women to have to make an effort physically as well.”
The Dutch will play their final practice match against Belgium in Kerkrade on Sunday, July 2, before traveling to New Zealand for their first World Cup match. The Netherlands opens its tournament on July 23 against Portugal in Dunedin.
