On July 27, the match between the United States and the Netherlands in the second round of Group E of the 2023 World Cup was a repeat of the final of the most recent version. Four years ago, the American team was the winner 2-0 to take the laurel wreath.

The same thing did not happen in the epic clash at Wellington Regional Stadium, witnessed by more than 27,000 spectators. This was the second largest audience in Group E, after the opening match between the US and the Vietnamese women's team (41,107).

Van Domselaar is the hero for the Netherlands against the US

Among many different factors, one of the decisive factors in the 1-1 draw was the Dutch goal being defended by Daphne van Domselaar, a goalkeeper described by European media as having a "gadget arm" (based on the famous cartoon series Inspector Gadget), along with excellent footwork.

Van Domselaar's Leap

More than a year ago, to those who follow women's football around the world , she was still relatively unknown.

In the past, the main gloves of the Dutch women's team were worn by Sari van Veenendaal, who caused many difficulties for opponents, excelling in reflexes and lower body strength.

Sari is the voice of the dressing room, the captain, the star. She won the 2017 European Women’s Championship – a tournament Van Domselaar watched from the stands – and was voted best goalkeeper at the 2019 World Cup. That year she also won The Best award for the best goalkeeper in the world.

Of course, she also appeared as a starter at EURO 2022 in England. But the adventure lasted 20 minutes, with Sari missing the first game against Sweden due to injury, at which point Van Domselaar left the bench to warm up.

"Two weeks before that, I didn't even expect to be included. A year before, at the Tokyo Olympics, I was only fifth choice," Daphne recalls of last summer's memory at Bramall Lane in Sheffield.

Daphne's legs were shaking and her heart was pounding. "Do what you always did at Twente, you can do it very well," Sari whispered to her young teammates as they exchanged high-fives.

But in her first appearance, she misjudged the situation, despite making some good saves. In the next match, the Netherlands won but Van Domselaar let Portugal score 2 goals (3-2).

“Is this really how it’s going to be?” she asked herself. Daphne pulled herself together and played brilliantly even as the Netherlands lost to France in extra time in the quarter-finals (0-1). She has been a regular in the starting eleven ever since.

Van Domselaar has made rapid progress recently.

She developed at such a rapid pace that many teams came knocking on Twente's door. The club rejected all offers and agreed with Daphne that she stay for another year, then leave in the summer of 2023.

Before the World Cup started, she had a new destination. It was not Man City, the team that Van Domselaar admired, but Aston Villa. But for the girl born in 2000, it was a dream because she always wanted to play in English football.

Big lesson for Vietnamese women

At last year's EUROs, Daphne was still immature and often stressed. "I felt like I had to change everything about the way I played," she recalls.

On the contrary, head coach Mark Parsons and goalkeeping coach Erskine Schoenmakers advised her not to change anything, just to keep working as usual.

During the last season in the Netherlands, Daphne worked regularly with Rick Scherp - Twente's goalkeeping coach.

On top of that, she intensified her coaching sessions with Robin Joostens, a psychologist.

"I benefit a lot from the conversations with my mental coach. I prefer to call him that rather than a psychologist. He is my friend, my confidant, and he teaches me not to put pressure on myself," the 23-year-old goalkeeper explained.

Arrived at Twente in 2017, but it took 2 years for Robin Joostens to play regularly, although she always had a place in the lower teams of "Oranje". After the surprise of EURO 2022, she stood out with the Netherlands at the World Cup, starting to make a splash on the football planet.

Not only beautiful, Van Domselaar is one of the most outstanding goalkeepers of the 2023 World Cup

After EURO 2022, Sari announced her retirement. "She called me to tell me about it. I was very sorry because I thought Sari had many years left in her career. She was the captain, a passionate person, always demanding the best from everyone," Daphne confided. "She also taught me to work hard mentally."

In addition, the Dutch Football Federation decided to fire coach Parsons (currently leading Washington Spirit) and chose Andries Jonker to sit on the technical bench.

"I know you from TV," Jonker greeted Daphne when they first met during the international break. At the same time, the 60-year-old coach guaranteed her a starting position.

Van Domselaar has been consistent at this World Cup. After a standout performance in the win over Portugal, she was excellent as the Netherlands drew 1-1 with the United States to put one foot in the last 16. No one doubts Daphne's worth or ownership anymore, not even herself.

A goalkeeper like that, from professional to skill, is an opportunity for Huynh Nhu, Kim Thanh Thanh Nha, Tuyet Dung, Van Su... to gain experience as well as further improve their football skills, aiming for the Asian Games in just over a month.

Vietnamnet.vn