DUMB AND DUMBER...
Dutch blow a two-goal lead
YOU know things are bad when players describe their performance as scandalous and super dumb, and the manager is lost for an explanation.
Two goals to the good, and eight minutes from collecting their plane tickets with automatic qualification for Qatar next year, and Holland are now one day from missing out on theWorld Cup altogether.
A nation that was celebrating winning Group G with a game to spare now has to avoid defeat at all costs against Norway in Rotterdam tomorrow or face watching the action next winter at home.
Louis van Gaal’s side held a comfortable 2-0 lead against Montenegro after a double from Memphis Depay either side of the interval.
But replies from Ilija Vukotic in the 82nd minute and Nikola Vujnovic four minutes later saw Montenegro grab a draw and left Liverpool star Van Dijk on the warpath.
The Dutch captain said: “I’m speechless and angry. It was scandalous the way we played in the second half.
“We all want to have the ball, play football, attack and score. But sometimes you also have to think defensively too.
“Our organisation was not good. We should have kept control and not all run forward. If it has to be ugly, then it has to be ugly. We also said that to each other beforehand.” The only saving grace for the Dutch is that Norway were held 0-0 by Latvia on Saturday without the striking services of Erling Haaland, who will be missing through injury again tomorrow night.
That kept them two points clear at the top of the group, meaning a draw will be enough tomorrow.
Not that it stopped Depay from being infuriated and from feeling sorry for the fans who travelled.
The ex-Manchester United player, left, said: “This is a hard blow. We sold everyone short – the fans who have travelled with us and the fans at home.
“We had it in our own hands and we gave it away completely. That is super dumb. This was simply childish. If you’re two goals up, you have to take it home.”
Holland will have to live on their nerves now when they could have strolled through the Norway clash with no fears. Should they lose and Turkey beat Montenegro, the Dutch will be eliminated.
And they will have to do it in an empty stadium after the Dutch government mandated the banning of spectators at all sporting events for three weeks following a surge in Covid cases.