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Worst performance in 42 years! Shameful for such a talented group. Bert van Marwijk should resign.
See my earlier comment.
by Oui on Sun Jun 17th, 2012 at 05:03:59 PM EST
I agree, all van Marwijk did was waste talents, he failed to forge a working team.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 18th, 2012 at 03:44:48 AM EST
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The Dutch team run by the players, not by the manager. As vice world champion the "stars" would easily go for gold at Euro 2012. There was distrust in the team and no "star" accepted a reserve role. Typical failure sets in when contracts have been signed for too much money for the individual.

Too many mistakes by the manager. Playing the matches in Kharkiv (Ukraine) while staying a distant 1,200 km away in Krakow. Too much travel in between games while losing time and the chance for some analysis and training.

The Dutch failed to find any sort of tactic in the last match against Portugal. After their fine start and 1-0 advantage, I would have changed tactic and replaced the offensive midfielder with one in a more defensive role. We were well aware of the weak spot in the Dutch defense, especially in the center to mark Ronaldo. Instead, Portugal adapted their midfield and scored the equalizer at 28' in first half.

Manager van Marwijk should have disciplined his players, especially Huntelaar, van der Vaart and Robben. See my earlier comment, I would have sent Huntelaar home. A total failure as team player for refusing the reserve role and failed miserably as pinch hitter. In the past the Dutch always had an excellent reserve to come off the bench and score that timely goal as we saw with Italy in its match.

Arjen Robben told his manager to STFU.

by Oui on Mon Jun 18th, 2012 at 08:22:45 AM EST
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After their fine start and 1-0 advantage, I would have changed tactic and replaced the offensive midfielder with one in a more defensive role.

But that wouldn't have cut it: the Netherlands needed two more goals to get ahead of Denmark. But the offensive faltered even while the Netherlands still had 59% ball possession somewhere at the end of the first half.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Jun 18th, 2012 at 09:12:33 AM EST
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They needed to win by two goals difference. Clamp down on  the defense and play very compact. Create the space behind the Portuguese defenders for a counter-attack goal. Portugal would have been required to push forward. Win the match German-style.
by Oui on Mon Jun 18th, 2012 at 09:20:38 AM EST
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Yes, our commentators were making similar points at the time, they felt the Dutch were being too cavalier in their attacks, as if they had to win the the match then, there, that actual minute and were giving away possession with bad hurried passing.

Shocking waste of talent

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Jun 18th, 2012 at 10:25:19 AM EST
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