Women’s World Cup: Defending Champs, USA Forces Netherlands to 1-1 draw in Group E encounter.

Defending Champions of the World Women’s football trophy, The United States on Thursday morning at the Wellington Regional Stadium before 27,312 crowd forced the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw in a group E match.

America had defeated the Dutch ladies 2-0 in the final of France 2019 through second half goals scored by Megan Rapinove and Rose Lavelle.

Manchester City forward, Jill Roord’s low drive got a perfect goal for the Orange girls in the 17th minute from a series of passes between Vieke Martens and Pelova .

Trinity Rodman found Alex Morgan who scored from offside standing a yard ahead of defenders in the 67th minute but the goal was obviously canceled.

USA coach at the 46th minute removed Savannah Demelo for Rose Lavelle in the midfield. Rose scored against Netherlands in the France 2019 final but at 51st minute she got a yellow for a rash challenge on her opponent.

Then a workout began from a corner kick taken by Lavelle that Captain Lindsay Horan of the French Club, Lyon headed home in the 62nd minute for the much expected equalizer. Roord emerged player of the match.

Netherland have been winless in their last 10 matches with USA in all competitions drawing 2 and losing 8 since the 3-1 friendly victory in April 1996.

Defending Champions, USA has won 7 of their last 9 matches at the world cup against European sides drawing 2 now.

USA and Netherlands top group E table with 4 points each from two matches. Both Portugal and Vietname with a match each are yet to earn a draw or win so have zero point each. USA had thrashed Vietname 3-0 and Netherlands piped Portugal by a lone goal.

We await Portugal versus Vietnam clash at the Waikato Stadium under Ref Salima Mukansanga of Rwanda at 0830 hours.

The last matches of Group E shall be played on 1st August with Portugal facing USA at Eden Park and Vietnam battling Netherlands at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Nigeria versus Australia also comes up at Transcorp Stadium at 1100 hours.

On Friday at 0100 hours Argentina will test the Bayana Bayana of South Africa power at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in group G. Two second round matches of group D will be decided namely England versus Denmark at the Allianz Stadium at 0930 hours before China will face Haiti at noon (1200 hours) at the Hindmarsh Stadium.

By Eniola Olatunji