The European champions had a lot of goal-scoring opportunities which they missed before Roord’s header which came during the final minutes of the match.
Netherlands' midfielder Jill Roord (C) celebrates after scoring a goal during the France 2019 Women's World Cup Group E football match between New Zealand and the Netherlands, on June 11, 2019, at the Oceane Stadium in Le Havre, northwestern France. (Photo by LOIC VENANCE / AFP)
Jill Roord netted an on-target header in the stoppage time as the Netherlands breached New Zealand’s defence to emerge victorious with a 1-0 score line.
This was FIFA Women’s World Cup opening game for both the countries at Stade Oceane on Tuesday.
The European champions had a lot of goal-scoring opportunities which they missed before Roord’s header which came during the final minutes of the match. The dangerous Dutch duo of Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema failed to deliver despite exerting pressure on the opposition.
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Meanwhile, New Zealand were looking all set to earn an unexpected point before they conceded a goal in the second minute of the stoppage time.
“Football is not fair,” said Sarina Wiegman, Netherlands manager, post the match. New Zealand were less than 120 seconds away from a well-deserved point in the World Cup but yet so far away as Roord’s goal broke Kiwi hearts.
Interestingly, Women’s World Cup is often criticised for producing “boring” style of play. However, a last minute thriller such as this might just change this perspective.
In FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019, New Zealand will hope to get some points under their belt when they meet Canada on 16 June, Sunday (IST). Meanwhile, Netherlands will hope to continue their match winning streak against Cameroon on 15 June, Saturday (IST).
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