Comments on: Van Basten: we make too many mistakes!

By: dawgy

dawgy — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:08:55 +0000

Well the boys have displayed breath-taking talent, defeating two 2006 world cup finalists in a week is splendid. Keep it up guys. However with the cracks i have noticed in the team, i can say it won`t be wise letting one of Italy or France because payback is the hardest blow…Be easy on Romania, when it comes to knockout stage, do it all like its a finale.
Big ups to Marco, he is not only tactical, he is the best, the substitution, the starting 11 and discipline. no one can deny that the Dutch are on top.

By: lowiesje

lowiesje — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:01:10 +0000

It is obvious that we don’t have top-notch defenders like the Italians or the French, but they had 3 and 4 goals against them… They were completely disorganised with most of the Dutch goals… In perspective our defenders doing well…

By: frenchnetherlandsfan

frenchnetherlandsfan — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:51:14 +0000

damn .. i agree with rob
and to answer u goose, i think we hadn’t play 2 amazing games, but 2 amazing first half (or thrity minutes), then looked the world cup finalists beeing holding the ball.
lucky to see them far of their peek perf and then counter them well.
i didn’t see holland like 98, able to defend with two lonely guy.
i see six guys unable to defend surely

By: goose

goose — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:24:32 +0000

@Rob;nah,we just needed some time to party, were back to reality now and we all have seen that we have had ‘the Gods’with us..

ive seen the replay of the france match for the full 90 minutes (thanks german tv!) and the frensh had 5 or 6 good shots on target/changes, it just all went well for us

but dont forget that we have played 2 amazing games! whatever happens; at least we have these 2 matches

vBasten just tries to keep the team focussed, and rightly so

but eh; as long as we have vdSar, as long as we have our amazing attack, as long as we make at least 1 more goal than the opponant..WELL WIN!!!

By: Marc

Marc — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:09:52 +0000

i always said we should be warruy of those wins against italy and france… despite our huge offensive display we were vulnerable in the defence and the buildup from the midfield in the second match vs france. The french ressed heavily on engelaar and de jong and thus our goals came from the wing or a pass back from the attack. Despite being amazed and satisfied with the result i must agree with van basten and i am gla d that he has found the mistakes. Hope they improve even mores so that they can finally clinch the euro 2008. but 1st the quarte finals vs either sweden or russia… both teams capable to surprise….

By: footbal girl

footbal girl — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:53:37 +0000

Marco, add this mistake too, beat the romanians that will be a terrible mistake. I have a bad feeling about this.

By: Juan

Juan — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:17:53 +0000

“You can masturbate all you want over your own fancy play, but the trick is to use it as weapon to win matches. ”

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

By: Dutch

Dutch — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:11:54 +0000

Well, some mistakes were rather easy to identify IMO. Like that CK after RvN almost headed one in over the goalie. CK was stopped, but they got back possession from the right. At that point there were 4 dutch guys in the box, there was also someone left of Van Persie free but Van Persie decides to run in from that impossible angle and easily lose the ball. That was a huge opportunity wasted.

Robben made 2 mistakes as well, one where he got the ball easily stolen from midfield and gave France a chance to counter fast. The other when he made a break for it and Bouma was completely free on the left while Robben had 2 guys right in front of him and he still decides to take a shot at it (and miss). In fact, Robben’s first goal was also where he ran himself into a deadlock and miraculous made that shot in.

It’s easy to forget those kind of mistakes when they’ve made the goal, but statistically, we had a higher chance of goals if they simply passed the ball to people who where free or closer to that goal. I was really annoyed when Van Persie decided to go in by himself with 4 dutch guys in front of the goal.

By: lowiesje

lowiesje — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:52:23 +0000

I think van Basten is just realistic here. Perfect matches don’t exist and it is good that he wants his players and team sharp as a razorblade. It would be awful if the squad would walk-in-the-clouds and drive away in arrogance. Keep focused, lads!

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:46:32 +0000

Well, thank God Marco’s seeing it, because it’s seemingly eluded most Dutch fans. Clearly Marco understands that had luck and finishing been on the opposition side, the scoreline could have been reversed in both matches. He should be seriously pissed with his defence – who regularly made schoolboy errors – not closing down, letting their man go free – as unbelievably good as some attacking has been, some aspects of the defence have been unbelievably bad. Both centre-backs were seriously at fault for the Henry goals, as well as the left flanks. In both games Henry and Toni have been allowed clean through by a shoddy offside trap. I want a team that closes men down in the final third next match – I’m sick to death of seeing the Oranje midfielders and defenders invite world class opposition to thump shot after shot at Edwin.