The first Women’s NEOM Beach Soccer Cup kicked off with the two Matchday 1 games showing that the competition will be fierce. Brazil and England were the victorious teams but both Ukraine and the Netherlands left good signs that they will have a word to say in the group stage standings.
Triumphant debut for the Lionesses in NEOM
The second match of the Women’s NEOM Beach Soccer Cup saw an all-European duel between the Netherlands and England.
Goalkeeper Hannah Haughton put the Lionesses ahead with a shot from her own half that lobbed the Dutch goalkeeper Alissa.
Alissa kept England’s attempts at bay during the second period with a couple of good saves that took the game into the final period with only one goal separating both teams.
The Dutch goalkeeper was, however, not able to save Hannah Short’s header on the second minute of the final period, which meant England doubled their lead.
But it took less than a minute for Nadja to relaunch the game also with a header.
With 2-1 on the scoreboard, Chloe Marshall shot a powerful free-kick directly into the back of Alissa’s net with less than three minutes to go.
Mariël Miedema still managed to head it in 30 seconds before the end, but it was too late to change the final 3-2 result.
RESULTS (Matchday 1)
Ukraine 0 – 2 Brazil
Netherlands 2 – 3 England