The coach gave the team a few days for additional recovery so Natasha did it the best way she could with a huge soaking bath full of muscle recovery bath salts but as usual she was still working on her game by watching the USA v Netherlands friendly game at the same time.
SBS World Game
A great article by John Davidson in the SBS The World Game website gives a brief overview of Natasha’s journey.
Read more ……
Read more ……
Another win !!
After being selected for the A team for the VV Alkmaar v Excelsior game on Friday night but spending the game on the bench, Natasha wanted to play on Saturday with the VV Alkmaar B team as she continues to develop a bond with the B team as well as the A team players. Aaaaannnnnnnddd yes they did it again!
While it was only a friendly and played for the most part in torrential rain Natasha again helped the B team to another win. This time it was a comfortable 1-3 win against the Excelsior B team with which they had a 3-3 draw in the first league game of the season.
The B team is now 3 wins from 4 games (all against league teams) with Natasha playing with them. It is no surprise then that they look like they are really enjoying their football.
While it was only a friendly and played for the most part in torrential rain Natasha again helped the B team to another win. This time it was a comfortable 1-3 win against the Excelsior B team with which they had a 3-3 draw in the first league game of the season.
The B team is now 3 wins from 4 games (all against league teams) with Natasha playing with them. It is no surprise then that they look like they are really enjoying their football.
Incredible Statistics !!!
We posted last week that Natasha had a great game to help VV Alkmaar B win their first league game of the season against PEC Zwolle. We have now had time to do the statistics on the first half of the game. We were unable to stat the second half of the game due to water on the camera making it impossible to see the game clearly.
She was 100% complete with her passing on both the left and right foot. She scored 1 goal from 1 shot at 100%. She had one assist and two key passes and won 45% of duels/intercepts. And that is for only half the game and you can watch the video in the previous post to see the amazing goal. It was as good as any goal you will see.
Incredible statistics.
1 Goal, 1 Assist and a Win !!!
Natasha continues to find her form with a very impressive game for VV Alkmaar B. Natasha scored a cracking goal (see video), delivered a quality assist and provided several key passes along with a 100% completed passes to play a key role in a 2-3 win against PEC Zwolle B. Natasha was so impressive that the referee even commented on her performance after the game. This is the first win for the VV Alkmaar Club for the 2020-21 season. A great effort from the entire team for a well deserved and tough win.
Hectic !!!
Natasha sat out the game against Ajax where the young and nervous vv Alkmaar were given a masterclass by the more experienced Ajax team, losing 0-4. This turned out to be a fortunate situation as she had a stomach virus and felt unwell for 3 days but following that she played 3 games in 6 days. In the first game she played 50 minutes before succumbing to affects of the virus with cramping and tiredness. 3 days later played 45 minutes in a very physical game against the boys team and then 2 days later playing 90 minutes in the vv Alkmaar-B team where she helped them to a 0-2 victory against ADO Den Haag-B team. While she continues to adapt to the Dutch football it is clear that her pre-lockdown football and game awareness is returning with more game time at her preferred number 10 position.
Can’t Wait!!!!
The Eredivisie Women’s Football League starting in just over a week and everyone is pumped!!!!
Progressing
Another step forward as vv Alkmaar produced an very positive performance in this friendly game. They were too good for this team technically, tactically and physically as they controlled the game scoring a 7-0 victory.
Natasha was asked by the coach to bring back in that brilliant running game we know she has and WOW she did it brilliantly with several devastating runs and numerous key attacks. Another 2 or 3 games and she will be back to her best.
Natasha was asked by the coach to bring back in that brilliant running game we know she has and WOW she did it brilliantly with several devastating runs and numerous key attacks. Another 2 or 3 games and she will be back to her best.
Gooooollllllllaaaazzzzzzooooooo
Natasha continues to build her form when vv Alkmaar played another friendly game as they continue towards the beginning of the Eredivise Vrouwen season. vv Alkmaar controlled the game from start to finish and ran away with a 3-1 win.
Natasha is showing good signs of improvement as she is reading the game better and adapting to the more physical Dutch game. She scored a fantastic goal which finished off a very high quality team play. She also played a key role in the first goal and created many other attacks as we now see clear signs of her regaining her pre-lockdown form.
Natasha is showing good signs of improvement as she is reading the game better and adapting to the more physical Dutch game. She scored a fantastic goal which finished off a very high quality team play. She also played a key role in the first goal and created many other attacks as we now see clear signs of her regaining her pre-lockdown form.
Military Team Building
Below are photos of Saturday’s military style team building training session that included carrying poles, medicine balls, weighted containers and sandbags through the sand dunes followed by pushups and abdominal exercises neck deep in the ocean then a coordinated team task and finished with an 8km walk/run back to base in the dark carrying a weighted stretcher. A tiring session but completed by nearly everyone and they all should be very proud of themselves. Great effort vv Alkmaar.