r/NetherlandsWorldCup

We hebben onze verschillen en wat zie ik Nederland graag, maar laat ons samen staan achter België om Amerika op het thuisfront te verslaan. Onze kleine landen samen tegen Amerika en wat ze soms niet begrijpen?

View Poll

The elimination of the Dutch team against Morocco at the World Cup also provoked international reactions. Football icons Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry were particularly critical of national coach Ronald Koeman afterwards. According to the duo, the Netherlands not only lost the match, but also its own football identity.

Morocco qualified for the next round via a penalty shootout, after Issa Diop had cleared Cody Gakpo's opening goal deep in injury time. In the commentary on Fox Soccer, Ibrahimovic mainly focused on Koeman's tactical choices.

Ibrahimovic: 'Koeman made the Dutch lose their identity'
The former striker, who still worked under Koeman during his Ajax time, could hardly agree with the Dutch team's way of playing.

'They have always taught me to think offensively, to play offensively. That is the identity of the Netherlands. But today I saw none of that,' Ibrahimovic said.

According to the Swede, Koeman completely deviated from what he believes the Dutch national team stands for. 'Today Koeman seemed like an Italian trainer who did not want to lose. But the Netherlands normally plays to win.'

He did not even think it was the biggest problem that the Dutch team was eliminated, but mainly the way in which it happened. 'If you lose, at least do so with your own identity. Don't change it. This is not the Netherlands that I am used to seeing. You could see in everything that the players did not feel comfortable. They did not have the ball, did not bring anything offensively and it just looked bad. I blame Koeman for that. I don't like it. I really don't like it at all.'

Henry also does not understand Koeman's choice
Henry was particularly surprised by Koeman's decision to kick off with a 5-3-2 formation.

'You take out a midfielder and add a defender. By doing so you actually indicate that you are technically afraid of Morocco. That is of course allowed, because in the end it is all about winning. If you win, you are right. If you lose, you will be criticized.'

However, the Frenchman also felt that the choice did not fit with the tradition of the Dutch team. 'I was really surprised about that, because that's not how the Netherlands normally play. Koeman clearly had a completely different view on that.'

Henry simultaneously expressed his appreciation for Morocco's performance. 'I have never seen them as a dark horse, because I think this is a team that can go very far. We will see if that happens. They tried to play football, were constantly looking for the attack, were hit once in transition, but recovered excellently and remained patient.'

Ibrahimovic agreed and believed that the best team ultimately prevailed. 'They never showed fear against the Netherlands. They controlled the match, also because the Netherlands allowed it and did not play according to its own identity. It is always a shame to see someone lose.'

This was followed by a clear message to Koeman one more time. 'This defeat is Koeman's fault, because I did not recognize this Dutch team. He lost with an identity that does not belong to the Netherlands. That makes me angry. Lose with your own identity and always remain true to it. That is who you are and what you represent. You are in the United States to show what you stand for as a country.'

Our beloved coach Koeman mentioned he was under the impression we -the people of The Netherlands- all asked for a 5-2-3.

I have to admit I failed my duty as a supporter of the Dutch team to contact him personally before the match to give my 2 cents.

I failed you guys, and for that I am truly sorry 😔

No ambition, no creativity

Has to go