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Football: Oranje feels the pressure: Disappointed van Dijk demands two wins
🇩🇪 Germany /Sports

Football: Oranje feels the pressure: Disappointed van Dijk demands two wins

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • The Netherlands drew their opening World Cup match 2-2 against Japan, with captain Virgil van Dijk expressing disappointment with the late equalizer.
  • Van Dijk scored the opening goal but was frustrated that the team couldn't secure a win despite holding a lead twice.
  • Coach Ronald Koeman cautioned against excessive expectations, stating that the Netherlands cannot dominate every opponent.

Captain Virgil van Dijk's frustration was palpable after the Netherlands' 2-2 draw against Japan in their World Cup opener. Despite scoring the opening goal and being named player of the match, van Dijk's disappointment overshadowed the accolade. "It was an important opener," he said of his header, "but we conceded the equalizer too quickly. And that's something I'm not happy about."

It was an important opener, but we conceded the equalizer too quickly. And that's something I'm not happy about.

— Virgil van DijkExpressing frustration after the 2-2 draw against Japan.

Van Dijk lamented that his team's inability to hold a lead twice resulted in a dropped two points. "We could have done better. But the fact is, we got one point. And now we have to move on." He stressed the need for two wins in the upcoming matches against Sweden and Tunisia to avoid a tense group finale. "If we want to achieve something special, then we have to win our next two games."

We could have done better. But the fact is, we got one point. And now we have to move on.

— Virgil van DijkReflecting on the team's performance and the need to look ahead.

Despite conceding late goals, van Dijk defended the team's overall defensive effort, stating they defended "very compactly" and "didn't allow many chances." However, Japan's Daichi Kamada and Keito Nakamura managed to equalize twice, canceling out goals from van Dijk and Crysencio Summerville.

If we want to achieve something special, then we have to win our next two games.

— Virgil van DijkSetting a clear target for the remaining group matches.

National coach Ronald Koeman urged a more balanced perspective, pushing back against what he sees as overly high expectations in the Netherlands. "Often I hear: But we are the Netherlands, we will have possession, we will dominate every opponent we play - but that is not true," Koeman stated. He acknowledged the upcoming match against Sweden, highlighting the threat posed by forwards Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak. Van Dijk noted he would face his Liverpool teammate Isak, alongside another in-form striker.

Often I hear: But we are the Netherlands, we will have possession, we will dominate every opponent we play - but that is not true.

— Ronald KoemanAddressing the high expectations placed on the national team.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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