US to do 'whatever it takes' in World Cup final rematch
Vlatko Andonovski said his United States team will do "whatever it takes" when they face the Netherlands at the Women's World Cup on Thursday in a re-run of the 2019 final.
The Americans won 2-0 in 2019 to retain their crown and now meet the Dutch again in the biggest game of the group stages in Australia and New Zealand.
Both teams won their opening game at this World Cup and will do battle in Wellington in the fight for the top spot in Group E – and with it possibly an easier match in the last 16.
The clash is a 33,000 sell-out and will give a good indication of how far both sides can go this time.
"For us, it's just a very important game in the group stage and we will do whatever it takes," Andonovski said on Wednesday, refusing to call it another "final".
The United States began their bid for an unprecedented third World Cup crown in a row with a 3-0 win over Vietnam.
The Netherlands beat another debutant in Portugal, 1-0, but were more comfortable than the scoreline suggested.
Andonovski's side had 26 shots at the Vietnamese goal, but with just seven on target and three goals to show for it, the coach wants them to be more ruthless.
"We've spent time looking into it in different ways," he said of what they had been doing to improve in front of goal.
"On the pitch in training, but also reviewing videos, talking with individual players and helping them with their approach."
The Americans still have veterans of the 2015 and 2019 winning squads, including Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, but they have complemented that with 14 World Cup newcomers.
Midfielder Rose Lavelle, who scored the second goal in the 2019 final and is set to make her 90th appearance for the US, has been impressed by the youngsters.
"We have 14 players new to a World Cup, but they are 14 really, really freaking good players, so I have so much confidence and pride stepping onto the field with them," said the 28-year-old.
The Netherlands are not quite the force they were, having lost Sarina Wiegman as coach and missing star striker Vivianne Miedema, who is recovering from a serious knee injury.
But current coach Andries Jonker believes the rest of the world, the Dutch included, are closing in on the United States.
"This is the development of women's football," he said.
"Are we getting closer? The feeling is yes. Tomorrow is the first time we can check if we are closer or not."
Jonker is anticipating a game of what he called "modern women's football" – a fight from the first minute to the last.
"We both need a win again, both want to win the group, so it's going to be a really good match."
相关文章
Newborns hit new low, but births to those unmarried reach record high: data
(Getty Images)Births to those not married accounted for nearly 5 percent of all births last year, se2024-09-22Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone and more weigh in on sexual harassment
As the past several weeks have revealed, sexual misconduct has been far too prevalent in Hollywood,2024-09-22- 动起来享受健身乐趣“生命在于运动,每个人都可以享受运动的乐趣。”舒华健身器材雅安专卖店负责人王先生表示,现代人忙于工作,疏于锻炼,不注意饮食,身体素质下降,急需锻炼。据省体育局2012年正式公布的《四2024-09-22
Praise Yeezus: Cool church uses Kanye West lyrics to inspire us sinners
Oh, come all Ye faithful toSt. Andrews Church in Hornchurch, London -- a cool church that's drawingp2024-09-22Gastro Obscura's Guide to Where to Eat in Nashville
Every month, thousands of bachelorette parties don their TEAM BRIDE sashes and descend on Nashville.2024-09-22- 雅安日报讯近日,将餐桌放在街道、小摊占道经营等以街为市的现象有反弹趋势。这些以街为市的行为就像是城市道路的“结石”,不仅影响了道路的通畅度,给市民的生活带来不便,还为省级文明城市创建抹黑。相关部门表示2024-09-22
最新评论