Red Flames – Dutch national coach sees “amazing” Belgium competing for group victory in Nations League

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The Dutch team discovered in September that Belgian women are a dangerous team. In Leuven the Flames won 2-1. European champion and World Cup finalist England had to surrender 3-2 in Belgium on Tuesday. Jonker: “It is a dangerous team. Against Scotland (1-1) they also played on the counter, but they still became extremely dangerous six to seven times.”

The Belgian women’s team reminds Jonker of the successful Belgian men’s team of the 70s and 80s. “Just like then, they play traditional Belgian football: on the counter. They work incredibly hard and that is enough at the moment to make it difficult for all of us “That suits this team well. I have no problem with that and I have nothing but respect for it.”

The Dutch national coach will play with the ‘Lionesses’ in the Nations League against England on December 1 and at home against Belgium on December 5. On Tuesday, the Netherlands won 0-1 against Scotland. “We have to finish the job in Tilburg on December 5,” said Jonker.

After Tuesday’s prestigious victory, the Belgian women are second in their group with seven points, two points behind the Netherlands. Scotland and the Netherlands are the last two opponents of the Red Flames in this Nations League.

The very first edition of the Women’s Nations League is also the qualifying tournament for the Paris Olympic Games. The two finalists can go to the Olympic Games together with host country France.