Theโข Dutch women’sโ national football teamโฃ appearsโ to be embracing a new tactical โคidentity under recently appointed head coach andries Jonker, โevidenced by a โคpromisingโฃ first โweek โขof competitionโ and a victory over aโ top-ten opponent.The โขteam’s โinitial matches โreveal โa focus on fluidity and unpredictability, signaling a departure โฃfrom previous strategies.
Jonker, known for his tactical acumen, โaims toโข build a squad characterized by both dynamism and analytical complexity for opposing teams. This vision is already taking shape with positional shifts – notably Esmee โBrugts’ transition from left โback to left winger – and โคthe โคintegration of younger players, withโค only three squad members aged thirty or older โข(excluding Lieke โขMartens, whoโค is currently injured).Janouโฃ levels and Marisa Olislagers have demonstrated immediate potential in theirโฃ familiar roles.
Theโฃ initial test of Jonker’sโค approach cameโ against Canada on February 21, 2024, resulting inโ a 1-0 win – the first victory against a nation rankedโ in โthe world’s โคtop ten in two years. Jonker expressed optimismโ following the โmatch, stating, “If we can show this structurally, we are on the right track.” The team’s โperformance in the first half, in particular, supported the coach’s ambition to create a challenging and โmultifaceted opponent.
