Andries Jonker understands that Sherida Spitse was irritated after the 2-0 defeat against Italy. The captain did not want to worry about the fact that the Dutch team is now a sub-topper or that there is something ‘bigger’ going on with the Lionesses.
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“I understand that she reacts irritated, because there is nothing wrong at all,” says Jonker AD. “We look at the facts. We came across Spain and Germany – the world champions and a top country – at a time when we were not ready and not fit. As a result, we rightly lose twice. Now we are missing half a team and “Although we still have a good team, there are some things missing.”
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The national coach thought his team was ‘sloppy’ and saw his team make ‘many wrong choices’. “As a result, we really created far too few opportunities,” is his opinion. The Dutch team hardly became dangerous in Cosenza. “It was a classic Italy – Netherlands: according to the statistics we had 65 percent possession of the ball, but they had two goals and three points. 65 percent possession of the ball, that really doesn’t buy you anything if you don’t create chances,” he said.
Jonker draws a comparison with the start of the Nations League. The Dutch team lost the first match against Belgium, but ultimately qualified for the Final Four. “Against Belgium was an even bigger disappointment because we were almost complete then. Then we recovered ourselves at home against England, now hopefully at home against Norway.”
