World Cup
Driessen warns Oranje: 'Don't blow it with sloppiness'
Valentijn Driessen has warned the Netherlands national team not to squander their World Cup chances after a sloppy start against Tunisia.
The journalist for *De * argues Oranje must improve significantly to progress past Morocco. 'Japan, Sweden and Tunisia were the required opponents in the successful Group F, and now the real test begins for Oranje,' Driessen writes. He highlights the team’s inconsistent performances in the opening three matches, stating: 'While it’s true Oranje is hard to beat, winning against every other national team is a different challenge.'
Driessen criticises the lack of focus, pointing to Oranje’s early lead against Tunisia. 'After seven minutes, Oranje led 2-0 through an own goal and a collective Tunisian lapse punished by Brian Brobbey. But the North Africans had the first real chance, and if the score had been 3-2 to Tunisia after fifteen minutes in Kansas City, no one would have been surprised.' He stresses the need for greater concentration, particularly in high-pressure moments.
Looking ahead, Driessen notes Oranje’s inability to defeat a team ranked in FIFA’s top 25 during Koeman’s second spell as head coach. 'Morocco currently sit seventh in the rankings, while the Netherlands dropped to eighth before the World Cup. A draw after 120 minutes and a winning penalty shootout would offer a lifeline to reach the last 16 against the winner of Canada-South Africa.'
He urges Virgil van Dijk and the squad not to 'ruin this by sloppiness' or risk 'foolishly' throwing away their quarter-final prospects.
'Je mag dit niet verknallen door laksheid',