Netherlands' Danielle van de Donk Talks Alex Morgan, Relishes Underdog Role
Jul 4, 2019
LYON, FRANCE - JULY 03: #10 Danielle Van De Donk of Netherlands controls the ball during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Semi Final match between Netherlands and Sweden at Stade de Lyon on July 03, 2019 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
Netherlands midfielder Danielle van de Donk has predicted Alex Morgan won't score against them in the FIFA Women's World Cup final on Sunday, and she thinks the USA will underestimate the Dutch.
Morgan is level on six goals with England's Ellen White in the race for the Golden Boot, while her tea-drinking celebration against the Lionesses in the semi-final has been met with controversy.
After Netherlands saw off Sweden 1-0 in their semi-final, Van de Donk was asked if Morgan might unveil a new celebration if she scores in the final, per Goal's Amee Ruszkai:
"I don't think she's going to score against us. I think [the underdog role] is the best role you can be in. I like it. I've always been the underdog. I think I got used to it. I think they…I don't know the English word, but I don't think they think we're that good."
The 27-year-old was asked if the word she was searching for was underestimate, to which she responded: "Yes, thanks. I think that is going to be an advantage for us. If they do [underestimate us], they do, and we'll show them wrong."
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She also said the Dutch will be focusing on their strengths ahead of the final and aim to "surprise" the defending champions.
The Orange Lionesses are the reigning European champions, but they're only in their second World Cup.
SB Nation's Kim McCauley thinks it's going to be a one-sided final in the Americans' favour:
In 2015, the United States faced Japan in a rematch of the 2011 final, which the latter had won on penalties. Team USA eased to a 5-2 victory, having raced to a 4-0 lead after just 16 minutes.
They remain the dominant power in women's football, and football writer Rich Laverty has been impressed with them in France:
USA's players are so powerful. They're all tall, all very strong and the few that aren't are technically superb, i.e. Lavelle, Dunn and Rapinoe.
The Dutch have some impressive talent in their ranks, though, from combative midfielder Van de Donk to world-class forward options in Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema.
They will be the underdogs on Sunday, but they're capable of punishing any complacency from Jill Ellis' side.
Women's World Cup Semifinals 2019: Bracket Predictions, Fixtures Info and Times
Jun 30, 2019
RENNES, FRANCE - JUNE 29: Sofia Jakobsson of Sweden celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between Germany and Sweden at Roazhon Park on June 29, 2019 in Rennes, France. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Sweden and the Netherlands joined England and the United States in the semi-final bracket of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup after winning their respective last-eight ties on Saturday. The Netherlands beat Italy 2-0, while Sweden progressed after upsetting Germany 2-1.
Repeating the trick against the Netherlands won't be easy, given the quality in the Dutch ranks. Vivianne Miedema and Arsenal teammate Danielle van de Donk lead a team perfectly combining power with technique, a blend good enough to send the Oranje to the final.
It's a similar story for defending champions the U.S., who should have too much strength for England. The Lionesses have excelled on Phil Neville's watch, but overcoming the holders' experience will prove one obstacle too many.
Tuesday, July 2
England vs. U.S.: 9 p.m. local time, 8 p.m. BST, 3 p.m. ET (1-3)
Wednesday, July 3
Netherlands vs. Sweden: 9 p.m. local time, 8 p.m. BST, 3 p.m. ET (2-1)
Taking chances when it counts has been the hallmark of the U.S. at this tournament. It's not unfair to say Jill Ellis' team was run ragged by hosts France during the quarter-final on Friday, but a ruthless forward line made the difference in a 2-1 win.
Megan Rapinoe scored twice to add to her brace from the penalty spot against Spain in the last 16.
Megan Rapinoe is the first player with two goals in consecutive #FIFAWWC knockout-stage games. 🇺🇸
Rapinoe has been providing the finishing touches to moves after defences have been worn out by Alex Morgan. Her pace and power will cause England more than a few problems, especially in tandem with Tobin Heath's eye for a pass.
Expect Morgan and Rapinoe to get on the scoresheet for the U.S., who can also call on Carli Lloyd and Christen Press for reinforcements along the forward line. At least one may be needed given the output of England's attack, with Ellen White the obvious danger.
Ellen White becomes our record goalscorer at the @FIFAWWC with 6 goals.
Match-winners up front aren't in short supply for a Netherlands team benefiting from Miedema's goalscoring brilliance. The PFA Women's Player of the Year is the focal point of this enterprising team going forward.
Miedema's timing and intelligent use of space punished a well-organised Italy defence and can do the same to Sweden:
Vivianne Miedema is the first #NED player to score 3+ goals in a single #FIFAWWC campaign.
Her glancing header in the quarter-final was the 22-year-old's 61st goal for her country. It also showed how the Netherlands are prepared to go direct and exploit a height advantage from set pieces.
A corner met by defender Stefanie van der Gragt yielded the second Dutch goal on Saturday, underlining their considerable aerial threat.
Sweden's defence didn't have to deal with the same problem against a Germany side more comfortable with keeping the ball on the deck. The Netherlands are a more versatile outfit, though, and will find a way to scrape a narrow win and book a place in the final.
