For a long time the women of Orange fought like lionesses. Iceland said absolutely nothing and rained down opportunities for the Netherlands. The Icelandic wall didn’t want to break for a long time, but then, when everyone gave up, there was Esmee Brugts! His cross flew straight into the long corner and Galgenwaard exploded! The Orange Lionesses went straight to the World Cup thanks to a 1-0 win!

There is no time to get used to each other, but the flames. National coach Andries Jonker’s team had to equalize after 1 exhibition match. The Lionesses must win if they want to qualify for the World Cup immediately.

Orange Lionesses are fully responsible
Oranje Leeuwinnen’s first serious effort was from Jill Roord, a high ball landing in front of her feet on the rim of 16. She let the ball bounce again and chased the ball towards goal with a drop shot. The goalkeeper has a little view but the ball is not enough to the corner of the goal, so the goalkeeper can easily save the ball.

The Netherlands was most present in the early phase, but had to pay attention to Iceland’s counterattack. 2 times they had difficult situations because they gave up a lot of space. Luckily Iceland didn’t do anything about this.

Everything through Jansen!
The Orange Lionesses are primarily looking for space down the right flank. In the 24th minute they came very close. Jansen, covering the right, returned the ball to Danielle van den Donk, who took the ball in a slipper in 1 step. Unfortunately, he hit the bar. And the rebound for Roord was too soft, so the goalkeeper could calmly catch the ball.

Iceland has angels on the mainland
In the 27th minute it was Van den Donk who came close to scoring again. Renate Jansen came in again with a cross and Van den Donk fired the ball in from close range towards the keeper and the ball halfway over the line. But unfortunately for Lionesses it wasn’t quite right, so the party was cancelled. In a new attack in a true wave of attacks, it was Jansen himself who was allowed to shoot and ALSO hit the crossbar. Iceland really panicked and the Netherlands put extra pressure on it.

Waited so long…
10 minutes before half-time, Iceland’s captain, Sara Bjork Gunnarsdóttir, made a huge mistake that kept the Oranges from scoring. But the ball towards Jansen was too far and the Netherlands could not take advantage of it.

The rest of the first half consisted of heavy hitting Orange Lionesses and lots of shots and throws to be had. It was waiting for goals for the Jonker women. 2 minutes before the break, it was Van der Gragt’s turn to hit the crossbar. Admitted through keeper, but still. This was the third time the crossbar was hit in 1 (!) Half.

Switch!
With 25 minutes remaining, it was time for Jonker to make a substitution. The woman with the most goals in the Eredivisie, Fenna Kalma, came on for Van den Donk and Esmee Brugts came on for Jansen. Less than 5 minutes later, Kalma’s shot was already dangerous, but again there was the Icelandic goalkeeper who kept the net clean.

Nearly gone!
Several moments when Iceland almost broke into the Orange Lionesses goal were always dangerous. So it almost ended when Sveindis Jane Jonsdóttir was able to walk on the ball. But luckily for Jonker and his ladies, he did miss the ball.

Jonker took Spitse and Roord aside and only included offensive players. It had an immediate effect: once again the ball hit the post over the head of new substitute Damaris Egurrola after Jackie Groenen was also close to goal.

Waste of time
Meanwhile, the Icelandic women were already busy with the time-wasting game and it was causing some necessary frustration on the part of the oranges. Long balls were the motto of the Orange Women, but the results were less than as they continued to combine until the last 16 edge. Unfortunately, the tricky route to the World Cup lies ahead.

ESMEE BRUGTS!
But then there is Bruges! At 90+2, with 2 minutes remaining, Brugts threw the ball again in the 16th with a spinning cross. Nothing touched it anymore and it fell into a long corner. Galgenwaard exploded and all Orange celebrated. The Orange Lionesses are going to the World Cup!