Pauw marks new deal with win
Monday, July 13, 2009
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Netherlands 3-2 South Africa
Oranje coach Vera Pauw signed a new two-year contract and then watched an experimental lineup battle to victory in Amsterdam.
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Netherlands 3-2 South Africa
The Netherlands celebrated coach Vera Pauw signing a new two-year contract by securing their second victory of the Four Nations Cup tournament at the Amsterdam Olympic stadium.
Team changes
Pauw's side opened the event on Saturday by defeating Switzerland 5-0 but although they beat South Africa by the same scoreline in March's Cyprus Women's Cup, it was a closer affair tonight as the coach rested stalwarts like Karin Stevens, Manon Melis and Annemieke Kiesel-Griffioen to allow those on the fringes of the squad to prove their worth ahead of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™. And they recovered from falling behind and then losing a 2-1 lead to secure a fifth win in eight fixtures this year.
Van de Sanden winner
Lebogang Thobejane put fast-improving South Africa in front in the opening minute when she pounced on a rebound but by the break Chantal de Ridder and Lianne de Vries had given the home side the lead, both scoring after stealing the ball from opponents. Mamphashe Popela levelled on the hour mark only for Oranje substitute Shanice van de Sanden to clinch victory 14 minutes from time following good work from Marlous Pieëte on the left. China defeated Switzerland 2-0 so the Netherlands must beat the eight-time Asian champions on Wednesday to finish first.
Netherlands: Christ (Swinkels, 46); Brummel, Nooij (Koster, 86), De Boer, Legemate (Van Dalen, 46); Spitse, De Vries; Van den Heiligenberg (Van de Ven, 87), Slegers (Van de Sanden, 66), Pieete; De Ridder.
New contract
Meanwhile, having led the Netherlands to their first female final tournament this summer, Pauw has committed for 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying after agreeing a new deal. The 46-year-old UEFA Pro-Licence holder, capped 89 times in a distinguished playing career, coached Scotland from 1998 until 2004 before taking over her home nation. She has led them to UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™, where they will begin their campaign on 23 August against Ukraine before meeting hosts Finland and Denmark in Group A. Pauw is also a member of the UEFA Women's Football Committee.
