NETHERLANDS……..4 (van de Donk 12, Brugts 32, Beerensteyn 52, 71)
SCOTLAND…………….0
It started and ended in the same vein for Scotland as Pedro Martinez Losa’s side were handed a sobering lesson in Holland as they slumped to a 4-0 defeat.
Frustratingly, however, for Pedro Martinez Losa will be the ease with which his side conceded goals against the World Cup quarter-finalists with the defensive sloppiness ruthlessly penalised.
The Dutch had started on the frontfoot and pretty much stayed there as Scotland toiled to find their feet in a game where their defensive unease undermined any fleeting moments of optimism.
Danielle van de Donk had kicked the scoring off after just 12 minutes. The fact there was an air of inevitability about the opener would highlight just how dominant the hosts had been in the opening stages.
Frustratingly for Scotland, though, was the manner in which the goal was conceded with a lack of awareness and concentration giving the forward her opener. Kerstin Caspari breezed into the box unchallenged and her deflected cross was met by van de Donk who had the simple task of tapping home from a front post run that no-one had picked up on.
“It is difficult, but I felt we had to try and disrupt their momentum more than we did,” reflected captain Rachel Corsie. “We are normally at it defenively but we gave them too much space.
“I thought we settled for a little while but we just fell short in too many areas. We know have an opportunity to recifty that as we go again on Tuesday.
“I think it was just that we gave them too many options and you have to make it more difficult than that. They have very good players and they don’t need us to give them so much space.
“We know we have a second opportunity. That is the good thing in football that there is another game round the corner and we want to make sure we get more out of the game [on Tuesday].
“I think we have it in us to compete much better than we showed. It is disappointing but we will pick ourselves up. You have to sit through the doscomfort of watching it back. I want to see the goals back and see how we defenv better. For all their good play, I think the goals are ones we will look back on and be disappointed with.”
It almost got worse for Scotland immediately after that first goal – Lee Gibson had to bolt off her line to smother the danger after the Dutch had broken at speed from a Scotland corner.
Gradually, Martinez Losa’s side managed to muster a couple of chances of their own. Claire Emslie will kick herself for not making more of a gift after Aston Villa and Netherlands goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar slid out for the ball but failed to hold it.
Kirsty Hanson also forced the keeper into a fingertip save as Scotland looked to ask a few questions of their own.
Any encouragement gleaned from that quickly evaporated, though, as Holland netted their second of the evening. An initial effort from Jill Roord was thumped into the ground but Sophie Howard sclaffed the clearance and the ball fell invitingly to the feet of Esme Bryugts who steered a low effort well beyond the reach of Gibson.
Within seven minutes of the break the hosts had taken the game beyond Scotland.
Defender Caitlin Dijkstra played a simple launched ball but it was allowed to drop behind a Scotland backline that was all over the place. Lineth Beerensteyn allowed the ball to bounce before aiming a delicate dink with the outside of her right boot over the advancing Gibson.
There was more. Beerensteyn added her second and Holland’s fourth with her head as Scotland prayed for the sanctuary of the full-time whistle.
Download Our App
▶ Check out the latest original football content – including exclusive interviews, features and unique video content across Scottish, English and world football on PLZ Soccer YouTube HERE
Get Instant Access To The Latest Football News To Your Phone
