02 December 2023 , 10:44
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Netherlands manager, Andries Jonker, called England’s final Nations League match against Scotland “strange” as the result could dictate Team GB’s place at the Paris Olympics next summer.
England’s 3-2 comeback victory over the Netherlands at Wembley on Friday night set up a tense finale in Tuesday’s culminating fixtures. England must defeat Scotland and surpass the Netherlands’ superior goal difference (three to England’s one), to ensure the Lionesses reach the knockout stage.
Only a place in the final (unless Olympic hosts, France, reach the final and England finish third) mean Team GB qualify for next summer’s Olympics.
And Jonker has questioned the sporting integrity of allowing such a conclusive match to be played between the two home nations.
“It’s a question all your Dutch colleagues have asked, it makes sense to ask it,” Jonker said, when asked whether two sets of players that stand to benefit from England’s progression undermines the integrity of the Nations League.
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“I think about sports history. For many years, Great Britain has participated in the Olympics as Great Britain. It’s strange, but it’s not going to change.”
He added: “There is a relationship between the British countries, but they want nothing more than to beat each other.
“For Scottish sportspersons it’s an honour to beat the English. In rugby, Scotland and England is always a fight. In the women’s game, it’s going to be the same, in spite of the fact that a player like Erin Cuthbert would participate in a Great Britain team.
“When the draw was made I said to the players the only thing we can do is keep this in our hands. Straight away, it was annoying, but it wasn’t going to change.”
Andries Jonker of Netherlands and head coach Sarina Wiegman of England (Photo by Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)The Netherlands face Belgium on Tuesday and victory for the Dutch would mean England must defeat Scotland by three more goals than Jonkers’ side.
Sarina Wiegman said her side will be aiming to score “as many goals as possible” to secure top spot in their group. “First we have to win that game, and that’s what we’re going to do,” said the England manager.
“Of course, we’re going to push and try to put them fully under pressure to score as many goals as possible, but we have to be aware that we don’t want to concede any too.
“Yes, we need to win [by three] more than the Netherlands do, if they win, so of course we’re going to go forward, straight forward, on Tuesday.”