Portugal’s plenty to ponder
DISAPPOINTMENT FOR RONALDO AND CO AFTER AN OFF NIGHT IN GENEVA
A limp display against the Netherlands raises big concerns for Ronaldo and Co as they seek to get things right for World Cup |
Ronald Koeman claimed his first win in charge of the Netherlands national team as the Dutch cruised to a comfortable 3-0 friendly victory over an uninspired Portugal in Geneva. The threetime World Cup runners-up have failed to qualify for this year’s finals in Russia, but Koeman’s second game at the helm saw goals from Memphis Depay, Ryan Babel and Virgil van Dijk seal an impressive win.
It was a disappointing evening for European champions Portugal ahead of the World Cup, as talisman Cristiano Ronaldo cut an isolated figure just three days after his late brace had seen off Egypt 2-1.
The Netherlands, who lost 1-0 to England in Amsterdam on Friday, opened the scoring in the 11th minute as Depay grabbed the first goal of the Koeman era by turning home from inside the box.
That strike came against the run of play as Portugal had dominated the early stages against an unusual 5-3-2 formation deployed by the Dutch.
Ronaldo was left incensed after his appeals for a penalty were waved away, despite replays appearing to show him kick the ground when attempting to shoot. But the Netherlands doubled their lead just after the halfhour mark as Ryan Babel headed in Matthijs de Ligt’s driven cross from close range.
The goal continued the Besiktas winger’s return to form, having only been recalled to the Dutch squad last year after a sixyear absence.
Things went from bad to worse for Portugal on the stroke of half-time, as De Ligt nodded down for Liverpool centre-back Van Dijk to volley into the far corner to score his first international goal.
Portugal continued to monopolise possession early in the second period, but struggled to break down their stubborn opponents.
Any hopes of a comeback were ended when Joao Cancelo was shown a second yellow card and sent off for a foul on Tonny Vilhena. That was the cue for several fans to invade the pitch attempting to take a photo with Real Madrid star Ronaldo, who was duly substituted with 22 minutes to play after failing to score for the first time in 10 matches for club and country. Ajax teenager Justin Kluivert, the son of former Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert, made his international debut after replacing Depay in the closing stages.
After a low-key affair that was a far cry from the two teams’ infamous ‘Battle of Nuremberg’ at the 2006 World Cup, the Dutch claimed a win they will hope can spur them on to better things having missed out on back-toback major tournaments.
Portuguese fans will be expecting better when their side take on Spain in their World Cup opener on June 15 in Sochi, before further Group B games against Morocco and Iran.