Esmee Brugts went supersonic on Tuesday with two long-range stunners because the Netherlands rediscovered their scoring contact in a crushing 7-0 win over Vietnam, reaching the Women’s World Cup knockouts in fashion and locking up prime spot in Group E.
The Dutch had solely scored as soon as in every of their two earlier video games however, realizing purpose distinction might resolve the group winners, have been 4-0 up inside 25 minutes, with Brugts’ curled effort the decide of the bunch.
Her second purpose within the 57th minute was a carbon copy of the primary and put the Netherlands 6-0 forward earlier than Jill Roord additionally bagged her second of the evening to wrap up the emphatic win, the most important of the match to this point.
“I’ll surely be looking back with a happy feeling,” Brugts mentioned. “I scored two however the remainder of the crew additionally performed properly.
“The confidence level is the same as before the game. We wanted to be ranked first in the group. We managed to do so, and that’s nice.”
The Netherlands have been anticipated to complete behind the United States within the group however the defending champions have been held to a goalless draw by Portugal in Auckland and resulted in second place in Group E, two factors off the summit.
The 2019 runners-up will journey to Sydney for his or her final 16 tie on Sunday and are more likely to face Italy, who sit in second place behind Sweden in Group G.
Although they have been lacking all-time prime scorer Vivianne Miedema because of harm, the Dutch had 5 totally different goalscorers in opposition to Vietnam, who had already been eradicated after shedding their first two video games.
Lieke Martens, Katja Snoeijs, Roord and Danielle van de Donk additionally scored within the first half and the Netherlands had a staggering 42 makes an attempt at purpose general, together with 17 on the right track.
In distinction, Vietnam managed 5 photographs however none on the right track.
Dominique Janssen launched an exquisite ball from protection into Vietnam’s penalty space, the place Martens lobbed goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh to place the Netherlands forward after eight minutes for her sixtieth worldwide purpose.
Snoeijs slotted within the second three minutes later after being arrange by Van de Donk, and Brugts quickly added one other from distance, her strike from exterior the field nestling into the highest proper nook.
Roord, who had twice fired huge twice, lastly received on the scoresheet after volleying in Janssen’s cross.
Roord drew a implausible save from Kim Thanh simply earlier than halftime, however Van de Donk was available to faucet within the rebound.
After Brugts’ very good sixth with one other fierce strike, Roord, who had hit the crossbar, headed within the seventh with seven minutes remaining.
“I was afraid that the gap would be even bigger,” Vietnam coach Mai Duc Chung mentioned. “We have tried our greatest however it’s clear that we can not shut the hole between us and the Netherlands.
“We have conceded 12 goals in our three games, so our level is low even compared to other Asian teams. But I think our efforts have been great. In this journey, I am satisfied with the spirit of the team.”
Worrisome USWNT
Despite being one of many pre-tournament favorites contemplating their “defending champions” tag, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) struggled to a startling 0-0 tie with Portugal to advance to the knockout spherical of the Women’s World Cup.
However, they completed second in Group E to Netherlands who had been on steroids earlier.
The Dutch gained twice along with their draw with the United States, whereas the U.S. crew gained as soon as and tied two video games.
The U.S. will play Sunday in Melbourne in opposition to the Group G winners, possible Sweden, ranked third on the earth.
Ines Pereira made six saves for Portugal, together with a cease on an Alex Morgan shot from the middle of the field within the 84th minute.
Portugal had no photographs on purpose, however Ana Capeta hit the correct put up on a shot within the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
Needing solely a tie to maneuver on, the U.S. couldn’t shake the Portuguese (1-1-1, 4 factors), who needed to win to advance.
The solely different time in 9 World Cups that the U.S. didn’t win its group was in 2011.
Entering the day, the U.S. and the Netherlands have been tied atop Group E with 4 factors, however the Americans held the goal-differential tiebreaker.
Now, they are going to rue a lackluster 3-0 win over Vietnam within the opener adopted by a 1-1 tie with the Netherlands.
The U.S. (1-0-2, 5 factors) confronted the prospect of being eradicated within the group stage for the primary time within the 9 World Cups with a loss and the Dutch defeating Vietnam.
It virtually occurred within the first minute of second-half of stoppage time when Capeta practically produced one of many greatest upsets in Women’s World Cup historical past.
There have been two adjustments to the U.S. lineup from the primary two matches.
Rose Lavelle began within the midfield for Savannah DeMelo, whereas Lynn Williams received the nod up prime over Trinity Rodman.
Williams had all 4 U.S. photographs on purpose within the first half, together with a strike from the highest of the field simply earlier than the break.
Lavelle’s second yellow card of the match within the thirty ninth minute means she’s going to miss the subsequent match.
This is soccer
Lauren James scored a brace and had three assists as European champions England stormed into the knock-out levels of the ladies’s World Cup with a 6-1 demolition of China, with Denmark additionally by from the group.
James arrange the primary from Alessio Russo within the fourth minute in Adelaide and the second from Lauren Hemp within the twenty sixth earlier than netting the third herself off a free-kick into the underside left nook within the forty fifth.
Asian champions China pulled one again within the 57th from Wang Shuang’s penalty after a Bronze handball.
But their comeback hopes have been short-lived as a result of James struck once more within the sixty fifth earlier than organising Chloe Kelly within the 77th, with Rachel Daly finishing the rout within the 84th.
England completed atop Group D with a most 9 factors, three away from the Danes whose captain Pernille Harder grabbed the one centesimal purpose of the match from the penalty spot earlier than Sanne Troelsgaard accomplished a 2-0 victory over Haiti in Perth.
England’s last-16 opponents are Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday, whereas the Danes are up in opposition to co-hosts Australia the identical day in Sydney.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
