Orange women start World Cup preparation without Roord, Hoekstra makes his debut

National coach Andries Jonker starts the World Cup preparation of the Orange Women without attacker Jill Roord. The veteran is injured. It is unclear how serious, last weekend she played for her club Wolfsburg.

Ajax attacker Tiny Hoekstra makes his debut in the selection for the exhibition matches. “She has been important to Ajax in the past period, is involved in many goals and then you deserve an invitation,” said Jonker about the 26-year-old attacker from the Frisian Rinsumageest, good for twelve goals in the Eredivisie.

“A serious opponent who slowly but surely finds the connection with the European top”, says the coach. “Many players play in the German Bundesliga. We also hope to be able to train and play in Malta under good conditions.”

The Orange Women will play the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer. In the group stage, the reigning champions United States, Vietnam and the winner of the play-offs are the opponent for the vice world champion.