I've seen kids in sandlot games with better form and contact on the damn ball! Need to go back to fundamentals, Donyell. Impressive turnout of Algerian fans in Rotterdam. But someone PLEASE explain to me just HOW a deranged "supporter" in that crowd is allowed to freely LASE the Dutch GK and other players during the entire match. With all of today's technology and security infrastructure, can't the authorities identify the losers with the lasers so that they can be removed and later publicly skinned alive??? I realize that the crazy explosives/pyrotechnics are now a cultural staple in particular European stadia; but this laser crap can easily end someone's career and has to be stopped.
7758 Why Koeman's 'box' against Japan's defense is tactical suicide. In Round of the World Cup, Pieter Zwart and Sander Janssen analyze the tactical choices of the Dutch towards the World Cup. According to Zwart, the box midfield made it very easy for Japan to push up cover from the five-man defense. He therefore argues for a different interpretation in midfield, with, for example, Justin Kluivert in a free role behind the strikers.
I think we have to see it in the Japan match. Sometimes you don't want to reveal everything in a warm up friendly before tournament, but then again perhaps Koeman wants to test them out as well. The Blue Samurai is likely to play 1-3-4-2-1 with 2 wing backs; they can play possession game or sit back with fast counter attack. Many already predicted Japan to win the match and the group. Hope for a good game.
7807 The Dutch national team will hold a minute of silence on Friday in memory of former team manager of Orange Hans Jorritsma. Prior to Friday afternoon's training, the moment will be inserted. Jorritsma, who worked for the KNVB for 21 years, died at the age of 77. The former top hockey player left the football association in 2017, but in Zeist he has not been forgotten. Jorritsma experienced four World Cups and as many European Championships with the Dutch national team. @Orange14 In the run-up to the World Cup, the Dutch are currently training on the fields of New York City, the club of former AZ coach Pascal Jansen. On Monday, there will be a sparring session with Uzbekistan. On Friday's training, national coach Ronald Koeman has a complete and fit group at his disposal. Jurriën Timber has also joined. No Van Nistelrooij Who was not there on Friday is Ruud van Nistelrooij. The assistant national coach stayed behind in the Netherlands due to private circumstances and will join the Dutch team on Sunday.
@Orange14 In the run-up to the World Cup, the Dutch are currently training on the fields of New York City, the club of former AZ coach Pascal Jansen. On Monday, there will be a sparring session with Uzbekistan. On Friday's training, national coach Ronald Koeman has a complete and fit group at his disposal. Jurriën Timber has also joined. Are you going to get autographs on your Orange kit?
Only if they come down here to train at our local high school. My most current NT shirt is from 2016.
Yeah, deservedly so. Japan is on the rise, while Oranje seems to be struggling to get going... well, I'd say let Japan get the spotlight and Oranje can sneak in! That said, not finishing first in the group could mean a short tournament for Oranje, as Brazil may be the first opponent in the KO stage.
That said, this Brazil NT is one of the least impressive in a long time. Japan just beat them recently.
Brazil is beatable and they are in the same level as Netherlands, not favourite like Spain or France. Japan is well-organized but Netherlands may take advantage of corner kick, free kick and those set plays. It will take the whole team efforts and different players to rise up each time. I feel an European team will win this World Cup this time and Netherlands is long overdue.
Wish I can be as optimistic as you are, and I love to see it, but I just don't think we have the quality to challenge the likes of Spain, France, and Portugal, who are the favorites IMO.
I guess so but they had to put down grass over the artificial turf as per FIFA guidance. Roof will need to be open for the grass to grow.
I agree that this team doesn't have quality as Spain, France or Portugal, and this team may loses at the round of 32. Most think that they can reach quarter final and not further, but if the team is top 10 in the world, the goal should be to win the world cup. For sure they are not talented as 2010 squad; I just wish that they have some mentality to win of that 2010 squad play to their best abilities like those 2 matches against Spain in Nations Leagues and luck may be on their side.
The back line is better than that of the 2010 team other the LB where van Bronkhorst played. The MFs are almost even but 2010 had Snjeider at his peak. No question that the attacker in 2010 were far superior.
I see no World beaters in today’s International Football and all of these teams have some kind of flaws or question marks. Respect all but fear none. Oranje and Koeman will need to play with good organization, fast tempo in possession, with an emphasis on constant proactive movement with and without the ball, limiting spaces between the lines defensively, especially against counter attacks, being first to the ball on every set piece, make our chances and take our chances with goals. The water break timeouts will be crucial for players to get extra tactical instructions, and I believe this will also have a great effect on the way matches are played. Top fitness will be massively important in the challenging elements. Finally the Referee’s and VAR involvement will hopefully be fair and just, and that’s not easy to predict or expect.
Hmm… J. Timber will miss the WC. I guess he was given as much time to recover, but is still not fit enough. Too bad. Geertruida in.
Verbruggen off injured with what looks like a hip issue at the 63 minute of the friendly against Uzbekistan.
Unimpressive win on a pair of Gakpo penalty kicks. Til sent off at the end of regulation for a hand ball that prevented a goal scoring opportunity. Uzbekistan evened the match in added time and then got a PK call when van Hecke was pulled down on a corner. I remain steadfast that this team will need to win a lot of 1-0 matches to progress.
An exhibition of "walking football". Timber leaves the selection. An example of wishfull thinking of a coach with bottles of Lourdes water to "heal" the injured players. So this time he has the opportunity to call in replacement, but what if the tournement already was on it's way? Which ones are a liability too? Depay for sure.
Comment by AD Sportwereld: Memphis Depay got a lot of minutes in the subsequent friendly game of the reserves (two times thirty minutes), which was played out of sight of the cameras. It is clear that the Corinthians striker is not yet in top shape to play a full World Cup. which more or less underlines my criticism on Koeman's selection issues already shown in the Euro and Nations League.