Notes on Sunday: Dutch Delight while Ferns Falter

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Netherlands 3-1 Cameroon:

Once again, the Dutch had to overcome a resilient side to win and they did so and in doing so, punched their ticket to the next round. Vivianne Miedema scored a brace and became the Dutch’s all-time leading scorers on the women’s side. Miedema got on the end of a perfect cross by Shanice van de Sanden on 41 minutes for her first goal.

However, Cameroon equalized almost immediately as Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene beat goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal to a ball in the air and scored into an open net. The Indomitable Lionesses’ joy would be short-lived, though, as Michaela Abam’s errant clearance went right to Dominique Bloodworth to make it 2-1 in the 48th minute. Miedema would seal the three points six minutes from time with her 60th goal for the Dutch.

Not the highest marks for performance for the Dutch, but they once again ultimately overpowered their resilient opposition. Now they have a shot of winning the group against Canada in Reims on Thursday (11am CT, FOX). Speaking of which……

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Canada 2-0 New Zealand:

It’s backs to the wall for the Football Ferns as goals by Jesse Fleming and Nichelle Prince gave Canada a 2-0 win and passage to the Round of 16. Fleming was criminally unmarked on the first goal in the 48th minute as Prince slotted the ball to her for the finish. Prince then followed up on Christine Sinclair’s header off the woodwork in the 79th minute to put things on ice.

Once again, defensive resiliency goes only so far for New Zealand and it could well have been more were it not for Erin Nayler and the defense. Attacks were few and far between for New Zealand as they had just two on the day compared to 22 for Canada. There was simply nothing to indicate there would be a repeat performance from Edmonton four years ago where they managed a 0-0 draw.

It’s not the end of the world just yet for the Ferns. They play Cameroon in Montpellier on Thursday (11am CT, FS1) in hopes of being one of the four best third-place teams. However, they are going to need a lot of help from a lot of other teams if the stars are going to align for New Zealand to reach the last 16 in what is arguably their best chance to get their first win at a Women’s World Cup.