‘I’m afraid of Alessia’

A lot has suddenly happened at the Jong Orange camp in recent days. Noah Müller was replaced at the last minute by the ill Alessia Norbiato. An early goal against Australia. First points loss (2-2) in a match that really didn’t need it. Yes, the competition has truly begun.

Things suddenly moved quickly within 24 hours of the clash with Australia. When Noah Müller entered the hockey arena in Santiago on Tuesday afternoon for the last practice before the start of the World Cup, he was still composed. Not anymore after a few minutes of entering. Then suddenly he participated in the competitive examination.

Muller: ‘It was very exciting. We were holding on. Then I was invited inside. Dave [Smolenaars] He said I am going to replace Alesia. He should have made that decision sooner. I immediately sympathized with Alessia. She is my friend and we play hockey together in Amsterdam. I feel terrible for her. Very sad indeed. I had to turn things off immediately. But when the training started, my mind was not right. I actually only changed the switch in the evening. I was finally ready in time for the competition.’

The last practice before the start of the World Championships was about to begin. But the Jong Orange internationals now had to deal with this blow first. After Müller was informed, the rest of the team was told the news, according to defender Mickey Roberts. ‘Of course we all wanted to go to her. But we also had to take her virus into account. So it was hard to hug her. Luckily we were able to comfort her. In that sense we sympathize with her. You don’t wish this on anyone.’

For most of us, it will be their World Cup debut. It was different from the practice matches in recent days. Defender Mickey Roberts

Up to this point, the preparation had gone smoothly. Confidence built against USA in warm-up game (7-0). They reached ten against New Zealand (10-0). This has brought smiling faces to Dutch juniors players in recent days.

But now suddenly everything was different. The Netherlands team was unrecognizable in the first quarter against Australia. As the ball went from bat to bat in the practice match against New Zealand, the game was tough now. There seemed to be tension in the muscles. Australia also conceded the first corner of the match after twelve minutes: 0-1.

Defender Mickey Roberts explained the weak start: ‘I think we probably underestimated the tension. don’t know But I think so. I don’t know why we started so weak otherwise. Perhaps we thought a little too far ahead. For most of us, it will be their World Cup debut. It’s different from the practice matches in recent days.’

Trijntje Beljars scored from a penalty corner minutes before the end to make it 2-2. Photo: WorldSportPics/Frank Uijlenbroek

I was disappointed with the draw. But no one has fallen into the sea so far. Defender Mickey Roberts

The positive aspect of the match is that the Netherlands have recovered. The remaining three quarters were largely dominated by the Dutch juniors. Dave Smolenaars team created some good chances. Attacker Gusje Moss scored to make it 1-1. Trijntje Beljars eventually converted a penalty corner with three minutes to go to make it 2-2. Was good defensively too. Australia won two corners in which they scored twice. All things considered, that was the only risk they created.

But many mistakes were made. A number of passes were intercepted after which Australia were able to counter. The Netherlands received the green three times. As a result, the texture behind is sometimes not very good. After a green card in the 52nd minute, the Dutch juniors gave away a second penalty corner opportunity. After a shot off the rebound the score was 2-1. The Netherlands fought back later on and Trijntje Beljaars was positive as they were held to a 2-2 draw in the end.

Roberts: ‘I’m disappointed with the draw. We handed a lot of balls at the back. Even myself. We have to look at it critically. But nothing happened till now. We ended the match with a good feeling as we won 2-2. We can learn from this. There is no man in the sea. Tomorrow [donderdag om 22.30 uur Nederlandse tijd] We will play another match against South Africa. Everything is still in our hands.’