Former Alabama Player Merel van Dongen Named to Dutch Olympic Squad
6/16/2021 2:04:00 PM | Soccer
Van Dongen will compete with the Netherlands for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama soccer alumna Merel van Dongen is Tokyo bound after being selected for the Dutch Olympic team, the Netherlands announced on Wednesday. Van Dongen and the Netherlands will make their Olympic debut on July 21 against Zambia.
Van Dongen has competed in 51 international caps since 2015 when she made her international debut during the Netherlands' 7-0 win over Thailand. No stranger to the international stage, van Dongen has played with the Dutch national team in major tournaments including the 2015 and 2019 Would Cup.
Reading the word Olympic over and over again. Can't believe it, it's a dream come true https://t.co/QmEhRSg2Bb
— Merel van Dongen (@merelvd) June 16, 2021
2021 International Friendlies
- Van Dongen has played in six international friendlies this year
- The Netherlands is ranked third in the world according to FIFA's world rankings
- The team has seen notable wins as it prepares for the Olympics, topping No. 2 Germany (2-1), No. 9 Australia (5-0) and No. 12 Norway (7-0) in 2021 friendlies
With Alabama
- Van Dongen competed with the Crimson Tide for three seasons (2012-14)
- She still holds the UA record for assists during a single season with 10 during the 2014 campaign
- Van Dogen tallied 16 points that year, adding a goal against Memphis, Austin Peay and LSU to her record-setting season
- She was named a CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-American and All-District 4 First Team honoree as a senior
- She was also voted the SEC Freshman of the Year during her rookie season
Olympic Debut
- Van Dongen and the Netherlands National Team will compete in Group F at the Olympics
- The team will face Zambia, Brazil and China in the group stage
- The Netherlands' opening match against Zambia will kickoff at 6 a.m. CT on July 21
Begonnen bij de amateurs...
— OranjeLeeuwinnen (@oranjevrouwen) June 16, 2021
...en nu op weg naar de Olympische Spelen!
Dit is onze selectie voor #Tokyo2020#LightItUp ?? pic.twitter.com/0evuppewje
Get all the latest information on the team by following @AlabamaSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. General athletic news can be found at @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and @AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
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