“Nobody seems excited to play” - Netherlands icon brands Ronald Koeman’s side a ‘disgrace’
Rafael van der Vaart was furious with the Netherlands players after the first half of their Euro 2024 clash against Austria on Tuesday, June 25. He claimed that they were not excited to play for the national team and there was no energy in their final group game of the tournament.
Van der Vaart said on Dutch TV that the midfielders were giving the opponents too much space and added that they were a bad side right now. He went on to claim that the goalkeeper was saving them and said:
"It's really a disgrace, an unbelievable disgrace. It doesn't make sense. Our midfielders give away space, the sides are bad. On the ball, there is no one to show balls. As if they don't feel like it. Nobody seems excited to play this game!
"You're lucky that it's only 1-0 and the goalkeeper saves you a few times. It couldn't be worse. It seems like it's too hot for them. There's zero energy, zero power."
The Netherlands were losing 1-0 at the time of writing and that would see them finish third in the group with four points. They eventually lost the game 3-2 but they have still qualified for the next round. They finished better than most third-placed sides in the group stage of Euro 2024.
Former Netherlands striker blasts players for first-half against Austria
Pierre van Hooijdonk was also on Dutch TV and said that the Netherlands players were not good enough against Austria. He added that the players were not moving well on the pitch and said:
"They're getting a lesson in modern football. It's the old-school Dutch school of 4-3-3 against modern football, with wingers on the inside, overlapping wingbacks and a dynamic midfield. Everything you need to have these days, Austria has. We have none of that."
He added:
"The Dutch national team is trying to put pressure. But that's how you're played redshanks every time. There was even a phase when the Austrians had the ball for ten minutes. Olé, olé, echoed through the stadium. Embarrassing."
The Netherlands had drawn goalless to France in the previous match. However, their 2-1 win over Poland in the opening match helped them qualify for the Round of 16.