The boldness of the Dutch has taken a critical hit. Of their final group match they misplaced 2-3 to the stunning group winner Austria, which implies they should go to the 1/eighth finals as third. “It was extremely unhealthy, dramatic.”
Man of the Match: Marcel Sabitzer performed a powerful match and scored the group win purpose for Austria.
Key second: After simply six minutes, the Netherlands fell behind by means of a slipshod personal purpose. It was a dramatic begin to a tough night.
Additionally, you will keep in mind him: Joey Veerman was dropped again into the crew by Ronald Koeman, however after 35 minutes he was changed once more. Purpose: the PSV midfielder had misplaced the ball no fewer than fifteen instances in 28 ball contacts.
Joey Veerman, one of many losers on the Dutch crew. Photograph: AFP
As leaky as a basket. Or “The best facet of the Dutch crew is as closed because the again door in lots of Brabant farms within the first six minutes,” as Dutch soccer journalist Rik Elfrink wrote on social media. The match in opposition to Austria began and ended dramatically for our northern neighbors.
Malen’s personal purpose led to the defeat. Photograph: REUTERS
A number of instances the suitable facet of the Netherlands, the place there have been two new names in Geertruida and Malen, was performed out of context far too simply. Twice there have been additionally objectives. Malen’s personal purpose after six minutes was very unlucky, but in addition silly. Captain Virgil van Dijk is answerable for the Austrians’ third purpose. How the Liverpool defender canceled the offside there ought to by no means occur.
“This was a really unhealthy match, in each respect,” Van Dijk admitted after the match. The Liverpool defender protected Joey Veerman, who was changed ten minutes earlier than half-time as a result of he misplaced the ball no fewer than fifteen instances in 28 ball contacts. “We’re all answerable for this, there’s not one or two responsible. That won’t occur. If we wish to obtain something on this event, we now have to vary one thing in a short time.” In keeping with Van Dijk, some harsh phrases had been mentioned within the dressing room throughout half-time and after the match.
Photograph: EPA-EFE
Nonetheless, Ronald Koeman’s crew got here out of the dressing room a lot better after the break. Xavi Simons’ contribution for Veerman paid off and led to Gakpo’s first equalizer. Afterwards, the extremely criticized Memphis Depay additionally made his very first of the event, on the directions of… Wout Weghorst. The 2 strikers had solely been on the sector collectively for a couple of minutes.
Depay scored his first of the event. Photograph: AFP
Hope for the Dutch once more, however as soon as once more they had been crushed by Austria. Out of nowhere they had been there once more and Sabitzer rammed the 2-3 into the roof of the purpose.
Koeman: “After all a misrepresentation”
The criticism of the crew and Ronald Koeman was instantly harsh. “The worst I’ve ever seen from the Dutch nationwide crew,” mentioned our colleague and head of soccer at De Telegraaf Valentijn Driessen in his evaluation. Within the NOS studio, former internationals Rafael van der Vaart and Pierre van Hooijdonk weren’t tender. “Dramatic, extremely unhealthy. It appeared as if all of them had jelly of their legs.”
The nationwide coach took accountability. “In case you are not in a superb place defensively and you aren’t aggressive, then that is after all a failure,” mentioned Koeman. “The communication was not good. I do not assume we did something brief within the preparation, however it’s my accountability that it was a misrepresentation.”
Ronald Koeman. Photograph: AFP
For instance, not the Netherlands, not France, which was caught at 1-1 in opposition to Poland, however Austria goes to the 1/eighth finals as group winner. The Netherlands continues to be among the finest third international locations and will due to this fact instantly have a high nation to select from.
Netherlands: Verbruggen, Geertruida, De Vrij, Van Dijk, Aké (65′ Van de Ven), Schouten, Veerman (35′ Simons), Reijnders (65′ Wijnaldum), Gakpo, Malen (72′ Weghorst), Depay
Austria: Pentz, Posch, Lienhart (63′ Querfeld), Wöber, Prass, Seiwald, Grillitsch (63′ Laimer), Schmid (90+2′ Weimann), Wimmer (63′ Baumgartner), Sabitzer, Arnautovic (78′ Gregoritsch)
Targets: 6′ Malen (personal.) 0-1, 47′ Gakpo 1-1, 59′ Schmid 1-2, 75′ Depay 2-2, 80′ Baumgartner 2-3
Yellow playing cards: 32′ Posch, 34′ Wimmer, 90+4′ Querfeld
