The Red Flames must not fade away now: after a win against the Netherlands, Belgian women must continue in Scotland

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The Red Flames want to remain the stunt team of the Women’s Nations League. The Belgian women defeated top country the Netherlands (2-1) and now hope to beat Scotland in Glasgow. If they take 6 out of 6, a group win is of course not excluded. It’s up to the Flames to keep burning bright.

The decor isn’t bad. Last Friday, the Red Flames played against the Netherlands at Den Dreef in Leuven – they even found that a bit dismal at the Dutch team – but the Belgian women will soon step onto the turf of Hamden Park in Glasgow. Scotland’s national stadium can accommodate 51,000 spectators, but will not be filled to the brim.

The perfect setting for a new three-pointer? On Friday, Tessa Wullaert and co. booked. already a historic victory against the Netherlands. It was the first victory against the Dutch team in a qualifying match since 1982. Holland was number 7 in the FIFA rankings and was recently present at the World Cup. Moreover, in the run-up to that world championship they had defeated the Belgian women 5-0, but now the Flames came out on top with 2-1. “The euphoria after our victory against the Netherlands is still there,” said player Kassandra Missipo. “Although we quickly shifted the focus to Scotland. Our goal is to win every match in the Nations League. If you don’t aspire to that, you don’t belong here. Beforehand, many thought that Belgium had no chance, but we already proved the opposite.”

In itself, Scotland is the most feasible opponent in this group A, which also contains European champions and vice-world champions England. The Scottish women are 23rd in the FIFA rankings, but they only lost 2-1 against England last week. Missipo, who moved to Italian side Sassuolo last summer, continued: “We should not think that we will simply win against Scotland. Above all, we must maintain the same mentality as against the Netherlands and not change our game plan too much.”

That game plan against the Dutch team was clear: form a well-closed block and then try to break out quickly on time. A 0-1 draw against the Dutch was turned into a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Marie De Truyer and Jassina Blom. The aggression was there. However, national coach Ives Serneels expects a different match against the Scots. “It won’t be comparable,” said the trainer. “The Scottish team plays with a lot of intensity and goes for 100 minutes if necessary. Still, I would like to take the three points here.”

Tysiak injured

If Belgium takes six out of six, it will of course have the prospect of a group win in this first edition of the Nations League. The group winners will advance and will later compete for two Olympic tickets. That’s a far cry, but daydreaming is allowed, right? The Red Flames will have to make do without Amber Tysiak, as the West Ham defender pulled out with an adductor injury. OHL striker Hannah Eurlings also dropped out, but she was replaced by 19-year-old Westerlo striker Amy Littel. It is on Littel about Big to become.

Women’s Nations League A – Groep 1

TODAY

20.00 Netherlands – England

8.45pm Scotland-Belgium

1. England 3

1. Belgium3

3. Scotland 0

3. Netherlands 0

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