https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2019/11/06/
under-17-world-cup-progress-for-ian-maatsen-s-netherlands
Under-17 World Cup progress for Ian Maatsen's Netherlands
06 Nov 2019
The young Dutch side qualified for the quarter-finals of the FIFA Under-17
World Cup by defeating Nigeria 3-1 in Brazil on Tuesday night, with
Chelsea's Ian Maatsen prominent in midfield.
https://i.imgur.com/6PL7K4q.jpg
A hat-trick from Ajax's Sontje Hanen wrapped up 10 minutes from time
proved decisive in the tie between the sides in Goiania. The 17-year-old
played the duration of the fixture in a midfield role as opposed to his
more defensive duties at Chelsea.
Oranje's route to this stage hasn't been plain sailing however, as
qualification from Group D was in doubt ahead of the final game against
the USA. Back-to-back defeats against Japan and Senegal saw the Dutch
bottom of the pile yet to win a point, but an emphatic 4-0 win over their
US counterparts saw Kees van Wonderen's boys claim qualification as one of
the best third-placed teams.
Maatsen has featured in all but one of the fixtures so far, missing the
final group stage game due to suspension, and will now wait to find out
who his team will meet in the last-eight between Paraguay and Argentina on
Sunday evening.
Group C runners-up South Korea are the other team waiting to find out who
their quarter-final opponents will be from the remaining knockout tie
between Japan and Mexico this evening (Wednesday). The winners from the
two quarter-finals will meet in the semi-final on Thursday 14 November,
kick-off 7.30pm.