The two qualified teams for the main round from Group A have been decided, with the Netherlands securing their second win in as many matches, 32:19 against Brazil, joining Romania in the next phase of the competition. 

GROUP A
Netherlands vs Brazil 32:19 (13:8)

With Brazil previously causing huge issues for Romania in the first match at the 2024 IHF Women’s Junior World Championship, and losing by a single goal, their match against the Netherlands was crucial, with the European side knowing fully well what they are going to expect in their second match at North Macedonia 2024.

But for the first five minutes and 38 seconds, the Dutch side dominated the match, taking a 3:0 lead, as Brazil’s first goal was scored by right back Julia Rodrigues, when the South American side was in full crisis mode. Nevertheless, Brazil’s resilience, proven against Romania, came to the fore once again and the Dutch side needed a team time-out to rehash their plan for this match.

That proved to be the right decision for coach Ricardo Clarijs, who helped his team regroup, and helped by right back Alieke Van Maurik, the Netherlands became better and better in attack. But the defence was the key factor of this match, as the European side became sturdier and stronger to beat.

In fact, the Netherlands, down 6:7 after 16 minutes and 39 seconds, conceded a single goal in the next 13 minutes and 21 seconds, going on a 7:1 run to end the first half, with two goals from centre back Jalisha Loy and two goals from Van Maurik, to take a commanding 13:8 lead at the break.

That gap ballooned at the start of the second half, with another 5:0 run from the Netherlands basically sealing the deal, with Van Maurik extending her excellent run of form in this match, after having previously scored five goals against the Islamic Republic of Iran in the previous match.

Eventually, Brazil could not mount a comeback and conceded a double-digit loss, 19:32, as Van Maurik finished with eight goals, while 11 outfield players scored at least one goal for the Dutch side, with the European side’s goalkeepers also boasting a superb 41% saving efficiency between them.

The Netherlands have qualified for the main round, with one match to spare, with the battle against Romania, scheduled for Saturday, being crucial for both sides, as the winner takes the points into the next phase of the competition.

Brazil and Iran will face off on Saturday too, but they will be continuing their run at North Macedonia 2024 in the President’s Cup.

Alkaloid Player of the Match: Romée Maarschalkerweerd (Netherlands)