VfL players predominantly enjoyed success during the international break.
The last international break of the current season was a successful one for the majority of the VfL Women players who were on duty for their respective countries, although there was one surprise defeat.
She-Wolves on the mark
With Kathrin Hendrich, Svenja Huth, Lena Oberdorf, Felicitas Rauch and Tabea Wassmuth in the starting line-up, Germany enjoyed a 3-0 win in their World Cup qualifier against Portugal, with Oberdorf and Rauch finding the back of the net. Alexandra Popp also made her return to the team after missing 362 days due to injury.
In a real turn-up for the books, however, Germany then went on to lose 3-2 to Serbia, with Wassmuth’s goal in injury time proving too little, too late. The two-time champions still have their World Cup fate in their own hands, though, and can secure their spot with what should on paper be routine wins over Turkey and Bulgaria. The final Group H matches will be played in September.
Iceland ahead of the Netherlands
In the battle for top spot in Group C, Sveindis Jonsdottir’s Iceland currently find themselves rather unexpectedly in pole position, having picked up wins over Belarus (5-0) and then Czech Republic (1-0).
The Netherlands thrashed Cyprus 12-0, with Jill Roord notching a hat-trick. This was followed up by a 5-1 win over South Africa in a friendly, where Dominique Janssen and Lynn Wilms featured in the starting XI. Roord meanwhile had to leave the group due to a painful wisdom tooth.
Sweden book their spot
Sweden have secured a place at the World Cup, cruising to a 15-0 win over Georgia followed by a 1-1 draw with Republic of Ireland, which Rebecka Blomqvist was forced to miss due to a cold. Meanwhile, Poland enjoyed a 12-0 win over Armenia but then went on to lose 2-1 to Norway. Ewa Pajor came on as a substitute for Poland in both matches but Katarzyna Kiedrzynek did not see any action.
