![]() There were swings and variations in the way they advanced. To describe the method used by the Netherlands coach Andries Jonker as simply plugging up the midfield is to do the Dutch side a drastic disservice. "We just didn't want to jeopardize anything."įurthermore, the opposition's five-player midfield had layers to it. "I just didn't want to disrupt the rhythm at that point because sometimes a substitute comes in and it might take a minute or two to get into a rhythm," Andonovski told reporters. In a game that was likely to be decided by single flashes of inspiration, Andonovski stuck with the trio of attackers - Alex Morgan, Rodman and Sophia Smith - that he felt most likely to provide those flashes. ![]() The eventual result of a draw was a perfectly fine outcome and kept the campaign firmly on track. One key thing to remember is that the penalty for losing the Netherlands game was far greater than the potential benefit of winning it. And let's face it, debate is part of the fun of watching soccer. The Dutch midfield lineup looked like world-beaters in the first half but by the end of the second were nowhere near as effective, and were being forced into defensive duties as the USA found its own ways to press.Īs for the viability of fresh legs in attack, that's up for debate. But Andonovski didn't panic.įor all the headlines about Horan's timely goal and on-field aggravation with Danielle van de Donk, the midfield star had suffered through a largely miserable time against Roord and young phenom Esmee Brugts in the early running, while Crystal Dunn was given a rugged time by Viktoria Pelova.Īndonovski fixed that, not with a shift in formation or a wholesale change of personnel, but with small and intricate tweaks in the positioning and coverage schemes. The USWNT was outmaneuvered and overpowered and fell behind after Jill Roord's fine strike. The USA couldn't get on the ball and when they did, they couldn't keep it. The opening 45 minutes was a big orange party. Things got drastically better in the second half. Just because Andonovski did not press the panic button, rip up the script and throw on a bunch of replacements does not mean he was unreactive to what was an inspired Dutch game plan. ![]() Except, as ever, there is more to it than that.įirst, it is important to consider that just as much as an international coach should be judged on his or her preparation, even more important is their capacity for adaptation. ![]()
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