Lieke Martens stated goodbye to the Dutch public in opposition to Finland. – Photograph: KNVB Media
The Netherlands received the necessary European Championship qualifying match in opposition to Finland 1-0. Lineth Beerensteyn shot the Dutch staff to the highest place within the group within the second half. However nobody talked about that afterwards at Het Kasteel in Rotterdam. Lieke Martens performed her final residence sport in Oranje beneath the watchful eye of household and pals. Her substitution in harm time introduced again all the nice reminiscences of an ideal participant. That was not with out feelings, each for Martens and her viewers.
Netherlands – Finland was like a movie in the very best traditions of Hollywood. Thrilling as a result of three essential factors may very well be earned for a European Championship ticket. It was recognized upfront that the rivals Norway and Italy had drawn; 0-0. In the event that they win, the Netherlands may take the lead within the group. However beneath there was additionally an emotional layer. Lieke Martens, one of many idols who had woke up Dutch ladies’s soccer on the 2017 European Championship, would play a house match for the Dutch staff for the final time.
— Lieke Martens retains the ball stylishly beneath management.
Successful is #1
Together with her household within the stands, Martens’ identify was greeted with additional cheers. And the ‘Lieke, Lieke’ commonly rolled from the stands on the atmospheric Citadel in Rotterdam. When she began within the Eredivisie Ladies at sc Heerenveen, Martens solely performed for her dad and mom, so to talk. She may solely dream that she would shine in soccer temples reminiscent of Nou Camp and Wembley. However that dream got here true, with absolutely the spotlight being the European title in 2017. Martens captivated the whole nation together with her trendy dribbling, her objectives (62 for the Dutch staff), her open-mindedness. Ladies not needed to look to males for an idol. They too may dream of changing into the very best participant on this planet.
However there was no room for all these reminiscences simply but, as Martens informed nationwide coach Andries Jonker upfront. ‘One is profitable, then nothing for a very long time after which I come.’ “Solely by profitable can we give Lieke a pleasant farewell,” the nationwide coach added. And the place one goes, the brand new era inexorably arrives. Jonker selected debutant Danielle de Jong (21) from FC Twente in purpose as a result of Daphne van Domselaar has not but recovered sufficiently from her hip harm.
— Danielle de Jong proved to be a beacon of calm on her debut in purpose.
Class
Martens’ farewell appeared to encourage the gamers. The Dutch staff received out of the beginning blocks with an opportunity for Van de Donk, who may solely get at goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela within the first minute, however laid it huge as an alternative of going for his personal success. Brugts tried to shock Korpela shortly afterwards with an try within the brief nook. Beerensteyn was simply unable to free himself after a pleasant go from Van de Donk. The Dutch staff had pinned the opponent down on their very own, however the Finns slowly however absolutely got here beneath the strain, with out actually changing into harmful. De Jong’s first save within the twenty fifth minute was obtained with cheers. The Dutch staff had issue discovering area between the compactly taking part in Finns and will not actually change into harmful.
After the break, the Netherlands began furiously once more. Van de Donk virtually shocked Korpela with a neat shot. A Martens header lacked energy and course. A purpose, that may in fact match completely into the script, ideally the decisive one. And the viewers within the stadium and at residence on the sofa was virtually at his beck and name. From the sting of the sixteen she confirmed Martens class and despatched the ball in direction of the intersection. Nonetheless, goalkeeper Korpela escaped unscathed and heard the ball hit the crossbar above her.
— Lineth Beerensteyn scores the profitable purpose; 1-0.
Tears
The massive distinction with the primary half was that the Dutch staff now stored the Finns beneath management. A purpose was inevitable and within the sixty fifth minute Beerensteyn lastly scored after yet one more nook. Finland then straightened up for a second, however De Jong made a skillful save on a smothered shot. Underneath the management of the tireless Van de Donk and the strong-playing Brugts – Martens’ inheritor obvious – the Dutch staff went on the hunt for the second purpose. However the one factor that Andries Jonker’s staff may very well be blamed for was that the Dutch staff didn’t take additional distance and determine the match.
The Netherlands received each sport, destroyed Finland and took the lead within the group. However nobody considered that afterwards. In harm time, the signal with quantity 11 went up and Lieke Martens left the sector to nice applause. Everybody introduced again reminiscences of all these great Orange years. Not least with Martens herself, who let her tears movement and was cheered after the ultimate whistle. Present and former worldwide gamers shaped a guard of honor for an ideal footballer.
— Lieke Thanks!
Dream
The gang chanted her identify incessantly and lots of banners got here out. One among these canvases had the textual content: ‘Thanks Lieke, due to you I began taking part in soccer.’ A wonderful profession as a world with three European Championships and three World Cups, a European title, a World Cup ultimate, 159 worldwide matches and 62 objectives is over after the away match in opposition to Finland on Tuesday, June 4. What all the time stays is that Lieke Martens gave all ladies within the Netherlands the dream of changing into the very best soccer participant on this planet.
‘I do not totally perceive it but’ Go to the reactions of Lieke Martens and Andries Jonker.
Statistics Go to the line-ups and different statistics of the Netherlands – Finland.