File picture of head coach Danny Blind of the Netherlands reacting after their Euro 2016 qualifying match against Iceland in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
DPA/Berlin
Euro tournaments in France and the Dutch national team appear not compatible as the proud Oranje team is on the brink of missing out again on a continental tournament there.
A 1-0 home defeat against Iceland on Thursday and a 3-0 defeat in Turkey Sunday have the Dutch reeling in fourth place in their group with two games left, two points behind the Turks.
With Iceland and the Czech Republic qualified as top two finishers, the Dutch’s only hope is reclaiming third place for a play-off berth. They play in Kazakhstan and against the Czechs, the Turks are at the Czechs and at home against Iceland.
The Dutch last failed to qualify for a Euro tournament in 1984, also in France, and their last major event absence was at the 2002 World Cup.
Nothing seemed to point at a disaster when qualifying started 12 months ago, shortly after the Dutch had come third at the Brazil World Cup, following a runner-up finish at the 2010 tournament.
And with 24 teams playing in France, qualifying never appeared as easy as now.
No wonder the nation was in shock Monday after the two defeats, following initial hopes to turn around the campaign with maximum points and possible direct qualification under new coach Danny Blind.
“The nosedive of the Dutch team, third at the last World Cup, is likely to end up in the tomb of European football,” De Volkskrant paper said on its website late Sunday.
“Orange has become a dull, repulsive team with a coach who, according to at least part of the public opinion, faces an exit after just coming in via the back door.”
The former international Blind was to take the helm from Guus Hiddink next year but Hiddink then resigned which put Blind in charge earlier than planned.
Blind reshuffled the team and made veteran winger Arjen Robben captain but Robben’s limping off against Iceland with a groin injury marked the beginning of the end.
Error-strewn
On Sunday, it was the coach’s son, Daley Blind, whose error helped Turkey score the second.
“I am disappointed and angry, especially with myself. I have to blame myself, especially for the second goal,” he told broadcasters NOS.
Veteran midfielder Wesley Snijder told NOS: “Maybe it is bad luck, maybe a lack of confidence. We let in two easy goals. This has to do entirely with a lack of concentration and sharpness.”
Coach Blind lamented “personal mistakes,” added that “we had more chances than Turkey but didn’t award ourselves,” and insisted that the campaign is not over yet. So did his son Daley: “We have hope. It will be very difficult but anything can happen in football.”
