Dutch boss cautions against Slovakia
DUTCH coach Bert van Marwijk has told his team to buckle down in their second round World Cup match against a Slovakian side he said lacked any “starsâ€.
DURBAN
Today, 5pm, SS3
Holland v Slovakia
DUTCH coach Bert van Marwijk has told his team to buckle down in their second round World Cup match against a Slovakian side he said lacked any “starsâ€.
Two-time finalists the Netherlands joined Argentina as just two sides who negotiated their group phase with three victories, but van Marwijk said complacency had crept in during their final match against Cameroon.
Leading 1-0 in that game, the Dutch eased off to allow the African side an equaliser before substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made it safe at 2-1.
“After the Cameroon match, I spoke to the squad. We often have that period of sloppiness after we take the lead. I said we can’t afford that,†said van Marwijk.
“If you look at what we’ve done so far, we’ve given a stable impression in the first two matches. We controlled the matches but could have done better.
Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst hinted that the riot act had been read.
“The second half against Cameroon was not good,†the Feyenoord defender said. “It’s been made clear that should we suffer a lapse like that again, we might have to go home.â€
Van Marwijk, however, explained that he expected a committed display from his star-studded squad.
Today, 5pm, SS3
Holland v Slovakia
DUTCH coach Bert van Marwijk has told his team to buckle down in their second round World Cup match against a Slovakian side he said lacked any “starsâ€.
Two-time finalists the Netherlands joined Argentina as just two sides who negotiated their group phase with three victories, but van Marwijk said complacency had crept in during their final match against Cameroon.
Leading 1-0 in that game, the Dutch eased off to allow the African side an equaliser before substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made it safe at 2-1.
“After the Cameroon match, I spoke to the squad. We often have that period of sloppiness after we take the lead. I said we can’t afford that,†said van Marwijk.
“If you look at what we’ve done so far, we’ve given a stable impression in the first two matches. We controlled the matches but could have done better.
Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst hinted that the riot act had been read.
“The second half against Cameroon was not good,†the Feyenoord defender said. “It’s been made clear that should we suffer a lapse like that again, we might have to go home.â€
Van Marwijk, however, explained that he expected a committed display from his star-studded squad.