Deadly Dutch keep up pressure
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Article summary
Hunary 0-5 Netherlands Gilanne Louwaars was on target twice as the visitors recorded a comprehensive win to stay in Group 5 contention.
Article body
The Netherlands kept up the heat on England and France at the top of FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying Group 5 with Gilanne Louwaars scoring twice in a comprehensive 5-0 victory against Hungary.
Dutch class
In a match played at Zalaegerszeg-Andráshida, one of the venues for last year's UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship, the home side battled gamely but ultimately could not compete with the skill and physical strength of the Dutch side. Netherlands coach Vera Pauw has said her side are looking only to gain experience ahead of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™, which they are bidding to host, but on current form a place at next year's finals in China cannot be ruled out.
Goal glut
Louwaars scored her team's first and final goals, with her two strikes sandwiching efforts from Shirley Smith, Nicole Deries and Anouk Hoogerdijk. The Netherlands move on to nine points from four games, having suffered only one defeat, against England. Hungary remain bottom of the table after four consecutive defeats and have yet to score in qualifying.