Women's Football News

The Netherlands and China kicked-off their international friendly at the Sparta Stadium in Rotterdam. The last time the two teams faced-off, the Dutch won by 8-2. For Andries Jonker and his team this match is important in the preparation for the EURO 2025 in Switzerland. Jonker called-up many young faces to test if they are up to the challenge. It was not until the quintuple change after the 67th minute that the Dutch took the lead. Find out everything about the friendly match the Netherlands vs China. 

• Attendance Sparta Stadium: 7000+

Summary the Netherlands vs China

The match started out with all the possesion for the Dutch. China could not get away under the pressure and mostly stayed on their own half. The first big chance was for Keukelaar but her header was straight at goalkeeper Xu Huan. China had a few outbreaks and punished the Dutch for every mistake. This led to the match opener: Jin Kun outmatched Van der Zanden in the box and scored via the far post.

In the second half Andries Jonker made a quintuple change but just before that Wieke Kaptein equalized. Moments later five experienced players entered the field and the impact was immediately. Roord scored the 2-1, Beerensteyn the 3-1 and Brugts her banger settled the score at 4-1.

The Dutch are testing the waters

The Oranje Leeuwinnen might have won 8-2 in 2021 but now they have a different China before them. The Starting IX featured many of the young players, supported by the experienced footballers like Spitse, Janssen and Groenen. The match started out slow. 

Most of the ball possession was for the home team and so was the first big chance. Dominique Janssen made her way down the left wing, finding Ripa in the box. The player from PSV looked up and delivered perfectly to Lotte Keukelaar. Her header was bit uncomfortable and aimed right at the Chinese goalkeeper Xu Huan, who left a big part of the goal unguarded. The visitors were able to clear the ball after the goal seemed as certain as it could be. 

The first impressions of Ripa were very positive in the openings 15 minutes of the match. The football player from PSV was right where she needed to be down the wings and in the box. 

China is overwhelmed in the opening 15

The visitors are not able to play away under the pressure form the Dutch. They do however punish every mistake they make, leaving them with two or three little chances. The Dutch defense is not easily fooled but struggles with the quick counters. 

Besides the first big chance the Dutch had, there was not much happening. Even though the home team dominated possession, the deliveries into the box were not quite good enough. The Chinese defense blocked and cleared most efforts, showing that Andries Jonker and his team clearly had more stuff to work on: finishing their chances.

Small Break & the opener of the match

Around 30 minutes in, Wieke Kaptein and Yao Wei banged heads when going for the ball. Both received treatment and returned to the pitch. Moments later Jin Kun scored the opener of the match. Lize Kop, the Dutch goalkeeper, her goal kick ended up with a player from China. She sent Jin Kun away, who was met by Van der Zanden in the box. Jin Kun outmatched her, and her effort went in via the far post. China capitalized on their first big chance, something the Dutch can learn from. 

The last ten minutes of the first half were much of the same: the Netherlands with all the ball possession but no one in front of the goal to put it in the back of the net. 

Second-half is underway: The Dutch are determined

The home team started the second-half with a high press, earning them the ball high up the pitch more than once. Chasity Grant and Dominique Janssen play their roles on the wings well but in the first ten minteus the same problem occurs. The Chinese defense holds their lines brilliantly and when the Dutch do enter the box, there is always a body there to block the deliveriers.

China earned their first corner-kick and made the Dutch defense sweat. Tang Jiali was sent away in the box but this time Van den Zanden did what she was supposed to do. It did earn China another corner, which deflecten on Janssen so the third corner was given. The third time almost ended with China doubling their lead but the Netherlands managed to just clear the ball.

First international goal for Wieke Kaptein.

The head coach of China, Ante Milicic, made the first changes of the match. Zhang Xin and Zhang Rui made way for Huo Yexin and Gao Chen.

The Netherlands finally finds their way to the back of the net. Spitse builds up the attack by finding Leuchter just outside the box. The Paris Saint-Germain forward sees Ripa’s run into the box in the corner of her eye. The pass is perfect for Ripa to deliver to Wieke Kaptein. The Chelsea midfielder played 13 international matches and scored her first international goal.

Quintuple change by Andries Jonker

Starting with most of your younger players is exactly what the international friendlies are for. The Dutch head coach got his substitutes ready just after 67 minutes of play. An injection of experience and power to the Dutch squad: Nijstad, Grant, Groenen, Keukelaar and Ripa made way for Van de Donk, Wilms, Beerensteyn, Brugts and Roord.

Ante Milicic also got the opportunity to make changes: Tang Jiali and Jin Kun left the pitch for Wu Chengshu and Wang Shuang to come on.

Immediate impact from Roord

Minutes after the quintuple change for the Netherlands Jill Roord scores the 2-1. Brugts her delivery was cleared by China, but the ball landed with Roord. She had a difficult time with an ACL injury but now scored her 29th goal for the Oranje Leeuwinnen.

The Dutch extended their lead to 3-1 when Wieke Kaptein was sent away by Leuchter down the rigth wing. Two Chinese defenders could not stop her delivery to Beerensteyn. The forward volleyed it in the back of the net, impossible for Xu Huan to make the save. It was Beerensteyn’s 36th goal in 109 international games.

Esmee Brughts with an absolute banger

The changes made by the Netherlands made a big difference. It was like day and night. The fourth goal was only minutes away: Esmee Brugts with an extraordinary goal. The Wils her delivery was headed away by a Chinese player. It landed with Brugts just outside the edge of the box. The player from FC Barcelona swooped it in the top right corner, the most stunning goal of the evening.

With only a couple more minutes, Renate Jansen comes on for Romée Leuchter. There are four minutes of added time in which China upped the pressure on the Dutch box but could not score their second goal. The match ends in 4-1 for the Netherlands.

Match Reports the Netherlands vs China