The short preparation time for the World Cup football is playing tricks on the Dutch national team, says Martin van Ophuizen. The former AZ professional footballer takes on the disappointing game of the Orange. “You have to play your best match at the right time,” says Van Ophuizen in NH Sport’s radio broadcast.
“I don’t think we should worry,” says an optimistic Van Ophuizen despite the draw against Ecuador. Many critics fell on both the game and the result of the Orange. “It is a tournament. In the past we often started well and everyone was enthusiastic. In the knockout phase we played our worst game. In the end it comes down to being difficult to beat and in a knockout phase that is decisive.”
“In the past we often started well and everyone was enthusiastic. In the knockout phase we played our worst game”
Van Ophuizen believes that tournament football should be viewed differently. Especially since national coach Louis van Gaal has only been able to prepare for one week. “I have the feeling that Van Gaal expressly uses the group matches as preparation for the rest. That is dangerous, because if you are eliminated, then it is over. Now it seems to be going in the right direction.”
Position change
Yet there is still no permanent team of the Netherlands with which it can compete with the top countries. Van Ophuizen expects that the team that will play against Qatar must also be the team to beat for the rest of the tournament. “Then I would start with Memphis with Steven Bergwijn next to him and Cody Gakpo behind it.” Van Ophuizen would then go back to the line-up of the first game, but without Vincent Janssen. “So also with Steven Berghuis next to Frenkie de Jong.”
“I have the feeling that Van Gaal explicitly uses the group games as preparation for the rest”
The only change of position that Van Ophuizen would make further is to the left back position. Daley Blind made a weak impression. “He is defensively more vulnerable than Tyrell Malacia. He should deliver in the passing, but that has not been enough. There is footballing ability in the team, but we also need poison. Some players have that naturally and Malacia is such a person that can bring something extra.”
The Netherlands will play the last group match against host country Qatar on Tuesday at 4 p.m. With a win or a draw, the Orange is qualified for the knockout phase.
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