The Netherlands and Zimbabwe teams put on an “amazing show of camaraderie” during their storm-interrupted Junior Women’s Cup match – despite overwhelming Dutch dominance in front of goal.
There were two breaks in play due to stormy weather, before the Dutch beat their own goal record at a Junior World Cup [also against Zimbabwe in 1989] in an 18-0 hammering in Potchefstroom.
There were three player hat tricks, including player of the Mmtch Noor Omrani. “We said to each other, whatever happens, we need to keep going and keep pushing. Whatever the score is, we needed to keep going,” said Omrani.
For Zimbabwe’s head coach Tendayi Maredza it was a tough day at the office. “It is never easy and it was a tough lesson for us. I am proud of my girls. We need to keep fighting, learn from this and move forwards.”
Maria Steensma also scored three goals, Jip Dicke moved to the top of the goal-scorer’s list with four, while there were two goals apiece for Luna Fokke and Josephine Murray.
The result means Netherlands will face South Africa in the quarter-finals – the hosts beat Ireland 1-0 – while Zimbabwe will be sure of a top 12 finish as pool B was a three-team pool due to the withdrawal of Ukraine.
