World Cup
7/19/2023 12:18:00 PM | Soccer
Alabama will have two former players competing on the international stage this week as Merel van Dongen and Riley Tanner ready for the 2023 FIFA World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.
Fans can watch the matches on FOX and FS1.Â
- Sunday, July 23 | Netherlands vs. Portugal – 2:30 a.m.
- Monday, July 24 | Brazil vs. Panama – 6 a.m.
- Wednesday, July 26 | United States vs. Netherlands – 8 p.m.
- Saturday, July 29 | Panama vs. Jamaica – 7:30 a.m. Â
- Tuesday, Aug. 1 | Vietnam vs. Netherlands – 2 a.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 2 | Panama vs. France – 5 a.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 5 | Netherlands vs. South Africa - 9 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 10 | Spain vs. Netherlands - 8 p.m.
*All Times CentralÂ
Netherlands
Both van Dongen and the Netherlands will make their third World Cup appearance as the former Alabama defender (2012-14) competed for her home country in both the 2015 and 2019 tournaments. The team will be competing in Group E against Portugal, Vietnam and the United States.
Wednesday, July 19
Van Dongen and Netherlands prepare for their first game on Sunday, July 23 against Portugal. The game will kick off at 2:30 a.m.Â
Sunday, July 23
The Netherlands captured a 1-0 win over Portugal to earn three points and open play in Group E. Stefanie van der Gragt scored in the 13th minute off a corner kick to the back post. The Netherlands will face the United States in its next match on July 26 at 8 p.m. CT. The Netherlands will look to secure their spot in the elimination bracket with a win over Vietnam on Tuesday. The game will kick off a 2 a.m.Â
Wednesday, July 26
A 1-1 draw against the U.S. keeps the Netherlands in second place in Group E, based off goal differential. The Oranje scored in the 17th minute off a low driving ball from Jill Roord. Team USA found the equalizer in the 62nd minute off a corner kick that found the head of Lindsey Horan.Â
Tuesday, August 1
In a dominant 7-0 victory over Vietnam, the Netherlands clinches the top spot in Group E as the team advances into the Knockout Stage. The Netherlands entered halftime with a 5-0 lead thanks to goals from Lieke Martens (8'), Katja Snoeijs (11'), Esmee Brugts (18', 57'), Jill Roord (23', 83') and Danielle van de Donk (45'). Merel van Dongen came in as a defender in the 80th minute to help secure the shutout for the Oranje. The 7-0 victory was the largest World Cup win in Netherlands' history. Van Dongen and the Netherlands will play the second-place finisher in Group G between Sweden, Italy, South Africa and Argentina on Saturday at 9 p.m.
.@merelvd is moving on to the Knockout Stage https://t.co/O9yPdbpwHN
— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) August 1, 2023
Saturday, August 5
An early corner kick in the opening 10 minutes of the game gave the Netherlands its game-winning goal as the Oranje advanced to the quarterfinal round with a 2-0 win over South Africa. Jill Roord, who is in second place for the Golden Boot with four goals, cleaned up a defensive save off the goal line, heading the ball into the net in the 9th minute. A through ball to Lineth Beerensteyn in the 68th minute gave the Netherlands its second goal of the match and secured the victory for the team. Merel van Dongen and the Netherlands will play Spain in the Quarterfinals on Thursday at 8 p.m.Â
Thursday, August 10
The Netherlands' time in the World Cup comes to an end after dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to Spain in the quarterfinals. Spain was the first team to find the back of the net with Mariona Caldentey scoring a PK in the 81st minute. Stefanie van der Gragt tied the score for the Oranje at 1-1 in the first minute of stoppage time off a throughball that led to a shot from 18-yards out. In the 111th minute, Salma Celeste Paralluelo Ayingono hit a bouncing shot off the post and into the goal to give the win to Spain.Â
Panama
Tanner will represent Panama in the country's World Cup debut when the team kicks off this week. Panama will play in Group F alongside Brazil, France and Jamaica.
Wednesday, July 19
Tanner will open competition on Monday, July 24 against Brazil. The game will begin at 6 a.m.
Monday, July 24
Panama faced Brazil in its first-ever World Cup game, falling in the match 4-0. Riley Tanner made her tournament debut in the 53rd minute. She registered two shots in stoppage time, including a deflected shot that forced a save by Brazil's goalkeeper. She and the Panama national team will look to bounce back against Jamaica on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. CT.Â
Chance on goal in her World Cup Debut ??#RollTide https://t.co/Dqm3NX9MAo
— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) July 24, 2023
Saturday, July 29
Tanner earned her first start for Panama in the World Cup Tournament, playing all 90 minutes against Jamaica. The former Alabama alum crossed a ball from the left to a teammate to help create opportunities for the Panama team, however, Jamaica came away with a 1-0 win.Â
.@RileyTanner_12 ???????? https://t.co/QP4WHT0feK
— Alabama Soccer (@AlabamaSoccer) July 29, 2023
Wednesday, August 2
History Made. Panama recorded its first-ever World Cup goal on its way to a 6-3 loss to France. The loss concludes the World Cup for both Panama and Riley Tanner as both completed their first-ever appearance at the international event. Tanner recorded her second start and played 81 minutes of action against France. She helped Panama capture its second goal after being taken down in the box in the 63rd minute before Yomira Pinzon stepped up and made the penalty kick.
