Dutch Defeat US in U-17 World Cup
The real world got in the way today for the first half of this game, catching just lthe last 10’. It is 1-0 Holland as we begin the 2nd half. The last 10, saw the Dutch get in on goal a few times, the US often, a few great saves and a few shots at the GK, if they keep this up, they win, but 10’ is too small of a sample size to know much. Less than a minute in and the US are in the area but over the endline. Cecil from afar but just a tad too high, great chance. Touray to Kennedy who lays it off for a shot, blocked out, US holds. Cecil to Mouson and again over the frame. France for the touchline a nutmeg and into the area, tripped up there, no call. VAR brings up a look at I’m sure that play in the area, as there is a request from coach. The Dutch player ran into the US one, her leg as the other was going down hitting her at about waist height, no PK awarded, great call and use of VAR, though not needed. US in the area, a blocked shot they hold and so may orange tops there. Johnson goes highlight film with a long distance shot, such a strike, at 57’ she ties it up. Well beyond the arc and this time under the bar. This was her 2nd goal of these games, she clearly should shoot more. Lead ball from Holland and far post, just wide, from just inside the area. Sadler awaits entry to the game. A distant shot from Holland handled by the US GK. Some great, distant strikes in this game. Touray loses it, recovered at midfield. Too many little touches in the area by the US and it is out, back in and over the endline. The US want a penalty, the only thing I see is a Dutch player getting up and the US player tripping over her. They are looking at the play just before the ball going out and the possibility of a push just prior. The view we have across the area does not show contact from behind, a body push or thigh to the back. The body of the US player does not lurch forward, as if pushed. Now each team have but one challenge left. Off comes Antonicci for Holland off are Altena and Vinckers. The Dutch with a throw from about 20 yards it knocks around then to their backfield and out. Far too far in front by Holland to the US GK at 71’. Great leap with the ball over Schmidt, played in and the first time shot well high. No follow through and not leaning over the ball. Dimaria out for Ream on the US who at just 16 is in the NWSL with Utah. Caution to Van Der Linden. Johnson from just beyond the area, wide right , but not by much. Johnson again with a shot, rough angle from the side of the area and it is wide, her teammate unable to catch up to it as well. US corner all the way to the next touchline. Cecil defended out for a throw in, Johnson taken down DKF US from about 30 yards and just wide of the area. A pair over the ball, it is taken way too short. Johnson tries to beat a pair, stripped of the ball in the area out to the US in the center circle they go, now back to the GK. Endline for Ream, she is unable to reel it in. Van Hunnick in and Touzani out for the Dutch. A deeper throw for the US goes to their backfield. Bodied off the ball and the Dutch get on it, they stop the attack. US on the edge of the area, endline and back, cleared away, the US holds in their half. Unforced error with Ream unable to get to the ball. Touray with a tripping foul, very obvious. Ream leads Touray, mishandled by the GK, corner USA at 85’. The kick goes to an orange shirt, by Kennedy, she gets it again and skies it off a defender, another corner. Kenedy again to take it she goes to the top of the 6, and a late defense with studs up makes contact only a yellow issued in the arc at 87’, Van Hunnick issued the yellow. Setting her wall is the GK from 19 yards Kennedy and Touray at the ball with a 4 person wall. Too close to get over it around? Touray off the cross bar. She got just a tad too much height, but what an effort. Had that gone in, she would have half a dozen goals over these games. Lead ball from Ream to Nelson she goes for placement over power and the inside of her foot, right at the GK. At 90’, the GK could not haldle the first time shot and her defender clears it out. Ten minuts of added time, due mostly to the VAR challenges. US win another corner at 91’. High arcing to the far post and the player did well to get to it, putting if off the far post. Over the top and outside for Touray, first saved, off the post, next to the side netting, not even a game of inches here. The US have shot on goal 24 ties and just 10 have they faced. US GK is at the center circle at 93’. Ream tackled as she passes and it is lost. Again into the area, Johsnon just misses and gets a corner. Header saved off the line, cleared out to the US GK, she sends it forward and they hold, now going back to her, over 3’ left, no need to just play long ball. Over the top, Holland hold too long and it is lost. Bodies down at so many challenges, no calls, another as I write this. Holland restart near the touchline at the bottom of the area. Touray to Kennedy, back to her and inside, cleared out Ram unable to get to it. Final minute sees a GK for Holland. We may very well be looking at PK’s to decide this game, I prefer golden goal. Long shot and the rebound to Ream is snuffed out. Goal kick.
Penalties it is, the US was the far better team in the 2nd half, but no goal came of it. This is the first game to be determined in this tourney through spot kicks. Renford of Holland steps up, the shot to the right side is good as the US netmider goes left. For the US is Schmidt her foray, to the same side and the GK again goes left. Netherlands next send Huber, same result as the first pair. Malsom is next, she goes left corner, GK does not get to it. Third for the Netherlands will be Thomasen gets it under the GK to the right. Looking to counter for the US is Johson and buries it to the left. Holland now goes with VInkers to the right, the GK goes there but just behind the ball. Trying to keep pace for the US is Cecil, she goes right the GK left. Last of the first 5 is now up with Dap high center and it scores. To keep the US alive is Ream, far post, barely high enough to evade the GK. Trying to gain an edge is Pennock, she powers it home to the right. To keep the US alive is Touray low to the left and in. The pressure is so on for Van Der Fleet all but down the middle and the GK was leanaing the wrong way. Converting this will get the US to the next round by Sadler, she stutters and it is saved to the right. Game over . The GK did not even have to move 7-6 in PK’s.