At least one of three Women’s World Cup heavyweights will head home in Sunday’s round of 16.
The Netherlands have no plans of being one of them.
Sweden can knock out the reigning champions when they face the United States in Melbourne on Sunday.
The Netherlands, finalists in 2019, take on South Africa in Sydney and are keen to remind everyone they are still a force.
“Everything is related to our ambition as a football country,” coach Andries Jonker said via a FIFA translator. “Being part of the top 10 in the ranking, that’s my goal.
“And if you want to achieve that, you need to show something and we want to do that in our way.”
Central defender Stefanie van der Gragt will retire after their World Cup campaign finishes.
But the 2017 European champion and 2019 World Cup finalist doesn’t plan on that happening just yet – or changing her approach.
“I actually always do the same thing – I defend with all that I have,” said van der Gragt.
“I do the best I can for the team.”
Jonker isn’t thinking about his veteran defender calling time, either.
“Of course, the consideration that tomorrow’s game might be the last is something you always consider, I as well, but I don’t really pay attention to that,” Jonker said.
“We can win against everybody so we’re not giving you any consideration that tomorrow might be the last game – not at all. She has to play a few more games.”
South Africa beat Italy 3-2 and gave Sweden a scare in the group stage and Jonker is wary of his “big-hearted” opponent.
“It will be another fight in this world championship between the so called smaller country -any people in women’s football will consider South Africa smaller – and a bigger country … (in) Holland,” he said.
“It will be another fight between two countries who have just one desire: to fly to New Zealand.”