For a week, the Red Flames had trained in the ball in possession, but last Friday against France they could not have shown it – because of hardly any possession. In that respect, the output match against Greece could hardly have gone better.
It will of course continue to speak with two words – it is the number 61 on the FIFA ranking. Cannon meat. But football it was of the best that we have already seen under new national coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir.
Finally the Flames could show all their assets.
First, stagnant phases. This was already scored against England and Spain, but almost every corner was life -threatening against Greece. Sari Kees came across the goalkeeper. Amber Tysiak extended past. Justine Vanhaevermaet saw a header turning the line.
Second, depth in the back of the defense. Halfway through the first half Tessa Wullaert smartly away from her guard. Janice Cayman kicked a measured long ball in the back of the Greek defense. The captain, who was put in the flowers for the match for her sixth Golden Shoe, lifted the ball over the Greek goalkeeper.
© Belgium
Third, flank changes – preferably from links to the high -advancing right wingback Jill Janssens. The express train of the Flames is almost unstoppable when she is responded to at the right time. This is followed by a low cross – Hannah Eurlings shoved detached on the second post from close by. Before the break, the bottom of the Janssens Deklat loved a goal. After the break, she was perfectly served by Wullaert, played the Greek goalkeeper and poked in.
Tysiak such as Brandon Mechele
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In possession there were still fun things to see. Central defender Amber Tysiak who created Brandon Mechele-Wise to midfield and created a surplus situation on the right-she almost even scored after the break.
Good news for the Red Flames: Strong holder Sari Kees gets fit for the European Championship
Laura Deloose, started as a left wingback in the base instead of Davina Philtjens, sowed in on her right foot panic in the Greek women. Another positive surprise: Mariam Toloba, who played strongly as a central midfield star. In this way she still emerges as a competitor for Tine de Caigny and Marie Detruyer. Deep in the second half she put a Greek in the wind with a wonderful indoor football movement.
© Belgium
Justine Vanhaevermaet, recovered from the slight injury that kept her aside against France, again stood for the defense. She had a foot in the 2-0. We don’t have to doubt her basic spot at the European Championship. In Doel Lisa Lichtfus started again … to be replaced halfway by Nicky Evrard. Just now that we thought the knot had been made.
Carrot freight Missed opportunities
The sun broke through in the half -empty Edmond Machtensstadion from behind the Grauwe apartment blocks of the Louis Metwielaan and shin high on the Belgian fans high in the stands. The rain was forgotten. A victory against the number 61 of the FIFA ranking – we say it again – is no more than the logic itself. But just as France was not okay against France, was the way in which it was okay now.
No way That Italy or Portugal will soon let themselves be rolled – we don’t even dare to mention world champion Spain here. Greece did not have the power or ingenuity not to exploit the mistakes of the Flames. Tysiak who once played a ball wrong, Kees who missed an interception, Teulings with a wrong pass in the structure … You just get away with this kind of opponent.
Just like the cart freight missed opportunities – in the lock, the substitute Jassina Blom came across the Klat again. This could easily have been 5-0 or 6-0. Soit – It was all about trust, and the Flames did that. Mission accomplished. Only downside: Sari Kees who left the field prematurely with a possible injury. Hopefully the damage is not too bad.
On Friday, the Red Flames will again play behind closed doors against the Greeks – a match to let everyone gain playing minutes and to experiment some more. On Sunday evening the whole group flies to Switzerland. Next Thursday the opening match against Italy is on the program there.
