On Tuesday, in Dunedin, a crowd of 8,215 witnessed an extraordinary performance by The Netherlands in the Womens World Cup. They secured a spot in the last 16 as group winners, outshining the reigning champions, the United States, with a dominant 7-0 victory over Vietnam.
In the end, it turned out the way we wanted it to, the coach Andries Jonker told NOS. This is what youre hoping for one opportunity after another. They were fantastic goals and not lucky goals. A dream scenario came true.
After defeating Portugal and drawing with the worthy USA, followed by a dominant victory in Group E, the 2019 runner-up, the Netherlands, have firmly established themselves as formidable contenders for the championship.
The Oranje teams performance in the group stage was awe-inspiring, thanks to their well-structured methods, playing style, and effective tactics. As a scout report, this tactical analysis examines their strengths in depth and highlights specific weaknesses they displayed.
Building from deep
Andries Jonkers team presented a solid performance in the three successive matches played, netting an impressive total of nine goals while conceding only one.
Jonkers 3-5-2 structure is modern and flexible, aiming to gain various superiorities in different phases of play. This adaptability allows the team to tailor their strategy from one match to another, ensuring they can effectively capitalise on their strengths and exploit their opponents weaknesses.
The Netherlands have the tactical culture to build up from the back; the team initiate their plays from the goalkeeper to a 4-1-2 base, where the central centre-back advances forward. At the same time, the pressing team is manipulated on one side to create space on the opposite side to switch the play where they potentially have the advantage there (combining the wing-back, the nearest midfielder and the drifting striker).
As depicted in the illustration below, this setup ensures a guarantee of numerical superiority in the destination; meanwhile, the other side players initiate runs to join the attack quickly — the farthest No. 8 joins the last line with the opposite wing-back while the main striker provides the support.
Indeed, another common approach utilised by them is the use of the goalkeepers long ball. When employing this, the targeted midfielder advances, providing a viable option for the long ball distribution. Simultaneously, nearby players surround the targeted area to secure the second ball, gaining possession if the initial pass is contested. Meanwhile, the striker and the wing-back execute third-player runs to create penetrative follow-up actions to exploit spaces left behind by the opponents.
Higher a little away from the goalkeeper. The Netherlands take their primary in-possession structure, transitioning between 3-1 and 3-2 setups based on the oppositions pressing scheme. From their 3-5-2, they transform into either 3-2-5 or 3-1-6.
Their game plan revolves around controlling the ball efficiently, prioritising vertical penetration in the appropriate moment over mere possession. Every player in the first line possesses the ability to execute vertical or diagonal passes that can break through the oppositions lines.
Usually, both wide centre-backs advance to play higher and provide valuable supp
