Spain does not want to wake up from the dream

Spain does not want to wake up from the dream

The women's soccer team faces the Netherlands in search of a historic semifinal in the World Cup

MADRID, 10 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish women's soccer team will face a date with history this Friday (3:00 p.m. / La 1) when they face the Netherlands, current runner-up, for a place in the semifinals of the World Cup that is being played in Australia and New Zealand .

The team coached by Jorge Vilda finally broke their wall and is among the eight best in the world for the first time, but they don't want to stop here. At a time when Spain falls asleep, he wants to continue dreaming of doing something great in the Antipodes, although the task is not easy due to the size and experience of his rival.

And it is that, although the 'Red' is number six in the FIFA world ranking and is currently ahead of the Netherlands (ninth), on the international scene the name of the Dutch team is greater. Continental champion in 2017, four years ago she stood in the World Cup final against the United States, yes, directed by Sarina Wiegmann, now the England coach, and perhaps knows better what these types of matches are like.

The Spanish players too, either because of the nucleus that plays or has played for FC Barcelona, ​​double champion of the Champions League and with two more finals, or because of those who have experienced it in the lower categories and will now try to transfer it to a duel that is presumed to be much more difficult than the round of 16.

Spain thrashed Switzerland (1-5) to leave behind the doubts offered against Japan at the end of the group stage and took on renewed airs for the final stretch where they will surely need their version to be even better, as demanded by coach Jorge Vilda after the historic victory in Auckland. The Netherlands has given a very good competitive level so far and is undefeated with only one goal conceded, although it has also left loopholes.

The duel that opens the penultimate round of this World Cup is expected to be even and, except for a twist in Andries Jonker's approach, between two teams that bet on having the ball, pressing up and being offensive, although in different ways. The clash against Japan was also shaping up like this, but the 'Nadeshiko' changed their approach to play on the counterattack, although this seems more unlikely in the current world runner-up, who has players with different characteristics.

What will not change in the Dutch team will be their scheme, supported by three central defenders that give them defensive security despite the fact that the influence of their goalkeeper, Daphne van Domselaar, is being key. Spain could not with this defensive scheme against the Japanese and knows that they must learn from that experience. In the middle, a beautiful duel is predicted, with players like Aitana Bonmatí and Jill Roord, decisive for their respective teams so far, and Jorge Vilda will have to study well how he neutralizes the numerical superiority of his rival, who has five players there.

The Spanish coach revolutionized his eleven for the round of 16, but now there are more doubts as to what he will bet to make more history. Ivana Andrés, Irene Paredes' most usual partner, is ready and now she must decide whether to start again or keep Laia Codina in order to control a team that has recovered the best version of Lieke Martens up top, but without a great goalscorer to replace the injured Vivianne Miedema.

Back, it also remains to be seen if he will keep Ona Batlle, who did a lot of damage to the Swiss along with Salma Paralluelo, on the left side or if Olga Carmona returns, which would send Oihane Hernández to the bench. Cata Coll should keep his place in the goal after his unexpected start last Saturday.

Vilda also has to look at how she sets up her midfield, which will depend a bit on what she decides in attack. Against Switzerland he was offensive with Paralluelo and Alba Redondo on the flanks, and with Esther González from '9' and Jenni Hermoso along with the indisputable Tere Abelleira and Aitana Bonmatí. The question is whether the three central defenders can cause the Granada player to maintain her position in the eleven and the Pachuca player to delay her position again or if, on the contrary, a more midfielder player like Alexia Putellas or Irene Guerrero enters.

For the Netherlands, Andries Jonker will have to do with who replaces a key player in the middle like Danielle van den Donk, suspended and out along with the injured central defender Merel van Dongen. This gives many options for the ownership of Damaris Egurrola, who finally, given the lack of opportunities with Spain, decided to play with the country of birth of his mother.

SPAIN: Tasting Coll; Oihane Hernández, Irene Paredes, Ivana Andrés, Ona Batlle; Aitana Bonmatí, Tere Abelleira, Jenni Hermoso; Alba Redondo, Esther González and Mariona Caldentey.

PAÍSES BAJOS: Van Domselaar; Van der Gragt, Spitse, Janssen; Roord, Egurrola, Groenen, Pelova, Brugts; Martens and Beerensteyn.

--REFEREE: Stephanie Frappart (FRA).

-- STADIUM: Sky Stadium in Wellington.

--TIME: 3.00/1.