Coach quotes: Netherlands

Marleen Wissink, Netherlands coach:

We had an U15 GK three years ago and she was not the best GK at that age – she was third or fourth GK, there were things she could not do. Then she made a choice to leave her club and go to the academy. She's on the academy and started to train every day. Now her progress was upward.

It's been so far, so good. This season our left midfielder had an injury (ACL) so we had to switch – we don't have a left-sided player. She was always the best player we had on this position now we are looking how we do this. We try to find a solution – first qualities of the players, who can do best in this position. We have a midfielder who is now our left winger. This was a struggle, but she accepted it and is doing her best for the team, so we are looking where players can perform.

[About a meeting with youth coaches] It's good to exchange the problems they have – but when you discuss tactics, it becomes a secret.

Netherlands goalkeeping coach:

Two and a half years ago I started with U15 then two seasons ago I started with U17. GK pro is my next step. When I was 16 I got the basic one, then I did UEFA C and B at school, then when I finished playing myself.

All the time I put a mirror in front of them and get them to think how do they make the save – there are different ways to catch the ball and I say let them catch it the way they find easiest. When you put them in training session and do things with their feet, they can do both. The quality is not enough at young age for a specific GK trainer for clubs.

Most important thing for a goalie is not to be afraid and to go for the ball. Don't go and step in someone else's shoes – be yourself and then you will go further and further.

You can talk with each other about [defending set pieces]. Everything is open. We talk with the GKs about it – what do you like, and who do you want in what position. Of course I am the one who puts it on paper and decides what to do. We never do zonal marking.  [Wissink: we do the same with U15 then do a list of who does the heading, who is afraid – we ask the players] When you ask them, they will think about it. They need to have a feeling for the situation. If I just say you there, you there, you there, it's nothing from me.