The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsHOLLAND – 66/1
51 year old coach Roger Reijnes assumed the reins with the ‘Oranje Leeuwinnen’ in 2010 following Vera Pauw’s departure. The Former Fortuna Sittard and MVV Maastrict midfield achieved his first objective to steer the Dutch to the UEFA Euro 2013, but saw his side fail to progress beyond the group stages. Previously coaching both the sides he played for, Reijnes, was able to lift and inspire the ‘Oranje’ to a successful World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Netherlands secured their first ever appearance in the World Cup finals after beating Italy over a two-legged playoff final, winning 3-2 on aggregate.
Reijnes has a the experience of Manon Melis, Sherida Spitze and Dyanne Bito who have a combined 400 caps between them to call upon to help new emerging star Vivanne Miedema.
With Canada 2015 being Holland’s first World Cup finals it will be interesting to see how they fair against their group opponents and will hope to progress to the knockout stages at the very least.
ONE TO WATCH – VIVANNE MEIDEMA
At 18, Vivanne Meidema, has an impressive club record with 85 goals in 86 appearences, having spent three years with SC Heerenveen before joining Frauen-Bundesliga side Bayern Munich in June 2014. Meidema continued her goal-scoring form after breaking into the national side, and currently netted 19 goals in her 23 caps for the Dutch. She maybe the difference between success and failure in Canada.
FIXTURES
6 JUNE 02:00 NEW ZEALAND Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
11 JUNE 23:00 CHINA PR Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton
15 JUNE 00:30 CANADA Olympic Stadium, Montreal
