What a disappointing evening for the Red Flames. The Belgian women’s football team kept pace with Denmark for a long time, but an unfortunate own goal by the acclaimed Janice Cayman heralded their downfall. In the end it was 0-3. The Flames are thus doomed to the play-offs to still obtain a ticket for the European Championship.
60′ – Janice Cayman: 0-1 (owngoal)
65′ – Harder: 0-2
82′ – Holmgaard: 0-3
A strong first half
The Red Flames played their important match tonight in the battle for a direct EC ticket against Denmark. If they won, they would still be in the running for EC qualification, otherwise they would be doomed to play play-offs.
The Flames started the match strongly. They kept a strong block and also centrally they secured it well. The first half was evenly matched. Belgium had a big chance just before half-time, but De Caigny could not take advantage.
After the break, Denmark emerged from the dressing room stronger. Thomsen had the chance of the match, but Lichtfus came out of her goal well.
The Danish pressure became too much and when jubilee player Janice Cayman tried to clear a cross from the Danes on the hour, she played the ball into her own goal. A painful own goal in the 150th cap of the record international.
The spring is broken
After the 0-1 the Flames seemed to have lost their spring. Six minutes later Pernille Harder was able to enter the sixteen too easily and scored the 0-2. A direct EC ticket slipped further from the hands of the Flames.
Ten minutes before the end, Denmark completely shattered the Belgian dream. Deloose lost the ball and thanks to a combination, Holmsgaard fired the ball into the roof of the net.
The Flames tried to save their honor, but they couldn’t. 0-3 is the painful final score.
Spain and Denmark are now certain of a direct ticket to the European Championship. Belgium and the Czech Republic must fight it out among themselves who deserves third place and can play play-offs. The fourth in the group also plays play-offs, but is relegated to Division B.
Serneels: “Denmark deserves qualification”
National coach Ives Serneels did not hide after the defeat. He saw that the Belgian women had to acknowledge their mastery in a stronger Denmark. “Their level is currently higher than that of our team”, he sounded honestly.
“I am satisfied with our first half. We kept control of the game, even in difficult moments. Our field occupation functioned well. I told the girls that at half-time. But after the break it all falls apart. That is a great pity.”
“Denmark is a team with a lot of individual qualities, which is also physically strong. If you score early, you might win today. But that didn’t happen.”
“Maybe we lack efficiency, but Denmark also simply deserves the qualification at this moment. Their level is higher than ours. Those are the facts today.”
Serneels was also not entirely surprised by the Czech Republic’s 2-1 victory against world champions Spain earlier in the evening.
“After the draw for this campaign I already said that it could hardly be more difficult. The Czech Republic is also a strong team, with many talented players. It was the strongest country from pot 4 and it showed that today.”
Sari Kees: “The numbers are exaggerated.”
Sari Kees: “We started the first half very well with a lot of energy and were also very excited about the match. Then the first goal is scored and two more goals quickly follow. Three too many in my opinion. But I don’t think we did badly, the numbers are exaggerated.”
Justine Vanhaevermaet: “It’s sour. We went all out for the three points and really wanted to win today, so it’s a big disappointment. In the first half we were in control and they got through our block very little. We even had chances to score. But we started the second half too weak and from 0-1 our spring was a bit broken. We tried again but it was no use. The disappointment prevails, but we have to be ready for Spain. Then we have to go for it again and believe in it because a lot still depends on it.”
Step by step
End: disappointment for Red Flames, no direct European Championship ticket
The Flames try again, but can’t score anymore. Play-offs should give Belgium a ticket to the EC. Final score 0-3.
3 minutes extra time
Three minutes are added in Sint-Truiden.
Toloba comes in for Deloose
New change for the Belgians. Striker Mariam Toloba comes in for defender Laura Deloose. Can the Flames still save their honor?
Books closed for Belgium: Holmsgaard fires in the 3-0
The Red Flames will have to secure their ticket for the European Championship via the play-offs. Denmark combines well and Sara Holmgaard fires the 3-0 into the net.
Denmark punishes Deloose for losing the ball: “Holmgaard fires the ball in nicely”
The Belgians also make changes: Janssens goes out for Blom
National coach Ives Serneels follows his colleague’s example. Jill Janssens is replaced by fellow striker Jassina Blom.
Substitution for the Danes: Hasbo out, Troelsgaard in
Danish national coach Lars Søndergaard makes a change in midfield. Sanne Troelsgaard comes in for Josefine Hasbo.
0-2! “Pernille Harder shows her class there, but it was not made difficult for her”
Harder scores the 0-2 for Denmark
A direct EC ticket is far away for the Red Flames at the moment. Harder can come in far too easily and puts the ball in the far corner: 0-2.
0-1 for the Danes: “Own goal from Cayman, that should happen to you in your 150th international match”
Drama for the Flames! Cayman scores an own goal: 0-1
What a drama for Janice Cayman and the Flames! In her 150th international match she scores an own goal on a cross from Thøgersen.
Good opening phase from Denmark.
Eddy Demarez
First yellow card for Denmark
The first yellow card of the match goes to Denmark. Hasbo comes in hard on Wullaert and is written up.
Belgium advances again
Mississippi passes the ball to Janssens, but he cannot control it and loses the ball.
Good cross from Janssens, but no one at the far post
A good cross from Jill Janssens disappears into a goal kick. There is no one at the far post ready to head the ball in.
Denmark comes out of the locker room strong
Denmark starts the second half sharply. Thomsen’s chance shortly after the break was the chance of the match. Then another chance followed that fortunately did not do too much harm.
