Pauw looking for Dutch improvement

The Netherlands have warmed up for their FIFA Women’s World Cup showdown against France on 13 May in disappointing fashion.

Coach unhappy
Vera Pauw's side, without the injured Gilanne Louwaars and Manon Melis, were beaten 2-0 by the United States' Under-21 side in Zeist, with Danesha Adams and Tiffany Weimer finding the net in the final 25 minutes. "This really was very bad," said Pauw. "We have to play for each other or else we will not win a single match. Against France the players who have to take the initiative really have to stand up. If they can pull the rest with them, then we stand a small chance of a good result."

Victory last time
Despite Pauw's pessimism when contemplating the crunch fixture in Zwolle a week on Saturday, the Netherlands were 1-0 winners in their first Group 5 meeting with France in Angers last September. To date, the Dutch have nine points from their four qualifiers, leaving them a point behind second-placed France with a game in hand. England lead the group with 13 points from their opening five fixtures.