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Our girls battled a powerful team for more than 90 minutes
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Aruba U-17 met Honduras U-17 for the first time in their history in a tough match. They battled Honduras (A country of about 10 million people) with all they have, yet despite the “Catracha” being big favourites to win, we should put things in persepctive; our “Rising Briyante Girls” were drawing the powerful central american team up until the 71st minute, despite their relentless attacks, multiple approaches, and lots of dangerous shots, from the first half already, our players held the fort and defended very well in the time-being.
The dam finally broke at minute 71, when the Honduran attacker, number 10, Alexandra Merriam, found the net for the first goal in the match. A powerful shot from outside the box with his right foot hitting the net in the middle right under the cross bar to beat Aruban goalkeeper Dylana Veenstra for the 1-0, an assist from Allisson Suazo. We have to mention that Veenstra and the Aruban defense fend off loads of attacks to keep the game tied up to that point. Veenstra had at least seven shots saved before she left the game with an injury, a commendable performance.
In the 79th minute it was Suazo’s own turn to score, a goal from the corner shot, a touch from her left foot in the left side of the goal. Suazo alone had about six dangerous shots in the match. The next goal came in the 87th minute as Aruba was advancing more to the front, Honduras found more space, a goal once again by Merriam for the 3-0.
Aruba kept trying despite the slower legs in the last part of the game, but finally found some merit for their efforts. A nice goal by Adannayah Breinburg in stoppage time (90+2). Still a goal to celebrate the grit more than the result against a better Honduras team this night. Sometimes you can learn more in a loss.
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Aruba Women’s U-17 – left to right – standing: Leerdam, Franken, Rogers, Breinburg, Angela, Veenstra, in the front: Maduro, Perez-Molina, Brete, Gois, Tromp (captain) – photo courtesy AVB
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Recap:
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⚽’71 Alexandra Merriam HON ⚽’79 Allisson Suazo HON ⚽’87 Alexandra Merriam HON ⚽’90+2 Adannayah Breinbrug ARU
🟨’ 29 Sanchez HON
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Aruba starters: Veenstra, Franken, Leerdam, Tromp (c), Brete, Perez-Molina, Maduro, Angela, Breinburg, Gois-Santos y Rogers. Di subbed into the game: Geerman, Vlijt, Harms y Rafael. Subs: Elings, Gomez, Kock, Kwidama, Ruiz, van Kats.
