VANCOUVER-- Netherlands will be hoping the teenager known as the Messi of women's football discovers her scoring touch as they seek an upset win over Japan at the Women's World Cup on Tuesday.
Vivianne Miedema is just 18-years-old but 19 goals in 26 internationals have marked her out as a precocious talent and have evoked comparison with Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
At the finals in Canada, however, she has yet to live up to the hype as she awaits a first goal that her compatriots hope will come in the last 16 clash with Japan at BC Place Stadium.
If the Dutch are to eliminate the reigning world champions and reach the quarter-finals in their maiden Women's World Cup appearance, Miedema's form in front of goal is key.
Netherlands squeezed into the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed finishers, scoring only twice in their opening three group games, with injury-hampered Miedema off colour.
But with the tournament well underway she has had time to shrug off the complaints and will be the focus of Dutch hopes.
Miedema's hat-trick in the qualification playoff last year ensured the Netherlands progressed to the tournament in Canada and brought the comparison with Messi.
"It always comes up in interviews and I've got a bit tired of it," she said recently. "We don't really have anything in common; I don't look like him, I don't play like him and we have different personalities.
"From what I can see, he is always in the background, hardly giving interviews. I like to be in front of the camera talking about the best thing there is: football.
REUTERS
