LYON: Jackie Groenen had not even managed a shot on target before coming up with the goal that took the Netherlands through to their first ever women’s World Cup final on Wednesday.
The midfielder’s long-range strike nine minutes into extra time that gave her team a 1-0 victory over Sweden in the semi-final in Lyon was just her third goal in 53 international appearances.
“I just saw a nice angle and we’ve been saying for the last couple of weeks that I need to take more shots, and the ball came really nicely so I just thought ‘let’s do it’,” said a delighted Groenen, 24.
A bronze medal winner as a youth at the 2010 European Judo Championships, Groenen is now looking to take her side to the top of the podium in France as they prepare to face the mighty United States in Sunday’s final. The reigning European champions, the Dutch are dreaming of winning a first World Cup in only their second appearance at the tournament. – AFP
