Dutch ready for Slovakia
The Netherlands play surprise package Slovakia today.
The Netherlands play surprise package Slovakia today, wary of a team spirit that saw the unheralded side beat defending World Cup champions Italy in the group stage.
“Slovakia will be tough,” Dutch striker Robin van Persie warned. “They showed really good spirit and hung in there against Italy and it was a great result for their country. So far, it’s looking good for us but we can still improve.”
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk added, “This is an opponent we must not underestimate. We cannot be nonchalant.”
Although the Dutch notched up three group wins – a feat matched only by Argentina – van Marwijk warned they could ill afford to let teams back into games through sloppy play.
“That period of negligence we had, we cannot afford that again,” he said. “It’s a bit of a lesson for the next match.”
Slovakian striker Robert Vittek, who scored two goals in the win over Italy, said that the game against the Azzurri had “really pushed the limits of Slovak football”.
“Beforehand we couldn’t have dreamt about this, I’m so happy, we showed everything that we’re capable of in achieving this,” he said. “The Dutch are clear favourites but we’ll try to give them a hard time. As newcomers we have nothing to lose.”
The Netherlands were boosted by the return against Cameroon of star winger Arjen Robben, who made his South African World Cup bow as a late substitute after missing their opening two matches with a hamstring injury.
If there were any doubts over his injury, Robben erased them in emphatic style with a trademark contribution to the Netherlands’ winning goal, slamming a shot against the post with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar burying the rebound.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2010.
“Slovakia will be tough,” Dutch striker Robin van Persie warned. “They showed really good spirit and hung in there against Italy and it was a great result for their country. So far, it’s looking good for us but we can still improve.”
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk added, “This is an opponent we must not underestimate. We cannot be nonchalant.”
Although the Dutch notched up three group wins – a feat matched only by Argentina – van Marwijk warned they could ill afford to let teams back into games through sloppy play.
“That period of negligence we had, we cannot afford that again,” he said. “It’s a bit of a lesson for the next match.”
Slovakian striker Robert Vittek, who scored two goals in the win over Italy, said that the game against the Azzurri had “really pushed the limits of Slovak football”.
“Beforehand we couldn’t have dreamt about this, I’m so happy, we showed everything that we’re capable of in achieving this,” he said. “The Dutch are clear favourites but we’ll try to give them a hard time. As newcomers we have nothing to lose.”
The Netherlands were boosted by the return against Cameroon of star winger Arjen Robben, who made his South African World Cup bow as a late substitute after missing their opening two matches with a hamstring injury.
If there were any doubts over his injury, Robben erased them in emphatic style with a trademark contribution to the Netherlands’ winning goal, slamming a shot against the post with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar burying the rebound.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2010.