2021 The Netherlands thread

Just a quick note on what the ratings "say" about Netherlands upcoming match in Iceland. This is, ratings-wise, one of the tougher matches facing one of the favorite teams in this window. Netherlands (published rating 2048) vs Iceland (1830) is only about a 120 point difference after factoring in Iceland's home advantage, which corresponds just about to a 67% expected win pct. Netherlands definitely favored but there are very real prospects for an upset indicated by the ratings.

While Czecho is a respectable team (approx 1700 rating), with homefield advantage Netherlands held a 450 rating point edge and roughly a 93% expected win pct. So a draw was a very very good result for Czecho.(I know technically I shouldn't call them Czecho now that they're separated from Slovakia but I'm an older guy so I can't help the Cold War / John LeCarré lingo)

Incidentally the draw between higher rated Belgium (about 1810) and Poland (1677) was not a surprise. With the match in Poland, the rating advantage was only 33 points, or roughly a 55% expected win pct for Belgium

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Very interesting comments on the Netherlands/ Czecho match from others. So please carry on

 

Anybody got the video of the game? I'm eagerly waiting and nothing yet on youtube.

 

In a peculiar way, the Dutch goal doesn’t happen without Spitse losing the ball. The Czech defense went from being set to being unprepared for Nouwen winning the ball.

 

The Dutch were hard on themselves after this match but I thought they were fine--good, even--in the first half, just unlucky. The Czechs sat back and made it hard to score--and they looked competent, well-organized and pretty tough-minded, and physical. Even so, The Netherlands moved the ball around with its usual aplomb. Groenen had a sure goal denied by a defender who nudged the ball away with her head at the last moment; the Czech keeper made two nice reaction saves, especially the one on Van der Graght, and the Dutch couldn't find that early goal that a superior team needs to open up the match. Maybe some crosses in the first half could have been more precise--but nothing's easy when you've got 8+ defenders around the box. And there were more chances in the 2nd half.

To me it seemed like one of these classic matches where one team has the ball for 80 percent of the time, but struggles to score against a solid, bunkered opponent; you get a little frustrated and/or complacent and suddenly you're not only not ahead but behind and have to scramble mightily to get a point in a match you should have perhaps one comfortably.

Maybe Parsons starts Beerensteyn in the next match, against Iceland, as she does offer a /bit/ more goal-scoring potential than Van de Sanden. And maybe Spitse starts as well given her usual precision deliveries, which you need in matches like yesterday's. Iceland is likely to try and play like the Czech Republic did, and it is a pretty strong team as well, so the Dutch will face the same challenge of scoring relatively to early in the match to bring out the opponent.

 

Roord, van de Donk, and Spitse's scores are all too high for me. Van de Sanden and Martens' are too high in my opinion as well, but I'm not as surprised by their ratings. Miedema of course had the well-taken goal and the clever flick to Roord, but I'm a bit surprised by her score of 8. She wasn't particularly clinical or involved in build up outside of those two plays in my opinion. I wouldn't argue much against anyone who feels all of the scores are a bit generous, but the other scores are about right to me.

 

So, according to the graphic from the official social media team, van de Donk is the midfielder getting the start out wide instead of Roord. This Dutch team is full of midfielders who have spent a fair amount of time out wide for club/country. I think that speaks to their versatility, but I think it also may say a lot about how their coaches have rated the wide players at their disposal in those matches.

 

Yea, Wiegman had Roord starting up top at right forward but Parsons has switched her and DvD today, putting Roord at the 10 and DvD out wide. So far, so good: Van de Donk has scored--1-0 at the half.

 

Leonne was spot on with her top 3 for the match (Groenen, Spitse, and van de Donk), and I agree with her lower rating for Janssen. (I can't remember what Leonne gave for van Veenandaal, but she just inspires little confidence in my opinion right now.) However, I think she was too generous with Roord and Martens again, giving them both a 7. I think a 6/6.5 based on her other ratings would have been fair.

 

Agreed on the lower nature of the ratings. I honestly would have given all three of the midfield stalwarts an 8+.

I don’t think Iceland were necessarily a reason. Czech Republic were far more efficient, but I think Iceland got into offensive areas better and more frequently. Defensively, I think Iceland were pretty much at the same level as the Czech Republic. There was space for passes and shots like Groenen’s assist and goal today vs the Czech Republic; no one executed them though. Of course, there was also Groenen’s miss vs the Czech Republic and Miedema’s missed header in the 1st half, both plays that result in goals more often than not. In contrast, Van de Donk put away her chance in the box this match.

Edit: Yeah, agreed on Folkertsma.

 

We have a women Eredivisie thread in the Dutch forum:
https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/women-eredivisie-2020-2021.2111469/#post-39919559

 

Well, a shadow posting of what's in the Dutch thread is of course an option.

 

First "Klassieker" to be played in the women Eredivisie.
https://www.ad.nl/nederlands-voetba...st~a4ccd970/?referrer=https://duckduckgo.com/
Eerste Klassieker in vrouwenvoetbal: ‘Namens Feyenoord scoren tegen Ajax staat op mijn bucketlist’

De meest intense voetbalwedstrijd in ons land wordt zondag voor het eerst gespeeld bij de vrouwen. Feyenoord - Ajax; bij de Rotterdamse nieuwkomer in de eredivisie kunnen ze niet wachten tot het moment daar is. ,,Scoren tegen die club staat heel hoog op mijn bucketlist.”

Dennis van Bergen 01-10-21, 15:30 Laatste update: 01-10-21, 16:29

First Classic in women's football: 'Scoring on behalf of Feyenoord against Ajax is on my bucket list'
The most intense football game in our country will be played for the first time on Sunday for the women. Feyenoord - Ajax; with the Rotterdam newcomer in the eredivisie, they can't wait for the moment to arrive.,,Scoring against that club is very high on my bucket list." Dennis van Bergen 01-10-21, 15:30 Last update: 01-10-21, 16:29

 

Anyone seen anything in the Dutch press about Lynn Wilms and her back injury? I'm curious about the nature of the injury, what she might be doing to treat/rehab it and when she might be able to start training again. I do wish Parsons would go to Van Lunteren and try to sell her on rejoining the national team. She's still in her prime. Probably doesn't want to now that she's a Mom--but worth trying.

 

Nope. Not recently anyway.

 

https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2021/09/3...torisch-duel-tegen-vrouwen-feyenoord-a4060247
use google translate if interested
Ajax-fans niet welkom in Rotterdam bij ‘historisch duel’ tegen vrouwen Feyenoord
Klassieker In lijn met het verbod op uitsupporters bij de mannen, zijn er zondag ook geen uitfans welkom als de vrouwen van Feyenoord en Ajax voor het eerst tegen elkaar spelen.

• Steven Verseput

30 september 2021 Leestijd 2 minuten

Ajax-fans not welcome in Rotterdam at 'historic game' against Feyenoord women

Classic In line with the ban on away supporters for the men, no away fans are welcome on Sunday when the women of Feyenoord and Ajax play against each other for the first time.
Steven Verseput 30 September 2021 Reading time 2 minutes

 

Banning away supporters is not the way to go.