Orange football players win much-discussed practice match with boys’ team De Volewijckers
NOS Soccer–
The Dutch national team has won a practice match with a boys’ team from De Volewijckers in preparation for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The team of national coach Andries Jonker won 2-1 against the Amsterdam amateur team in Zeist.
Esmee Brugts (1-0) and Daniëlle van de Donk (2-1) provided the goals for the Orange. Ivar Wijna made the 1-1 the under 18 team of De Volewijckers in between. The entire Orange squad made playing minutes, the KNVB Football Association reported.
Fear of image damage
There was some fuss about the match beforehand, because, according to Jonker, the KNVB feared “image damage” to women’s soccer in the event of a big win for the boys’ team. The KNVB subsequently decided that the match should take place behind closed doors.
Jonker previously 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 also have to make an effort physically,” the national coach said.
The Dutch will play its final practice match against Belgium in Kerkrade on Sunday, July 2, before traveling to New Zealand for its first World Cup match. The Netherlands opens its tournament on July 23 against Portugal in Dunedin.
Watch the latest episode of the NOS vlog ‘In the wake of Orange’ via the video below:
Van der Gragt’s tennis balls and trash race à la Idols | In the wake of Orange #19
