Netherlands 'obligated' to top World Cup qualifying group, says Koeman
The Netherlands are obligated to win their World Cup qualifying group, coach Ronald Koeman said on Tuesday as they began preparation for their opening Group G clash against Finland in Helsinki on Saturday.
It will be their first match in their bid to qualify for next year's finals in North America, followed by a second fixture on Tuesday when they host Malta in Groningen.
The Dutch belatedly kick off their qualifiers because they played in the Nations League quarter-finals in March where they drew twice with Spain before being eliminated on penalties.
"Maybe it is easier to play football against Spain," Koeman told a press conference. "Because no one expects anything from us then.
"Finland and Malta are different types of opponents. We will have more of the ball, and they try to stop us.
"We are obligated to finish first in this group, but we do not underestimate anyone and we need to bring the energy that we have shown in our last few matches."
The group also includes Lithuania and Poland, who top the standings after two wins in March. The winners qualify for the World Cup while the runners-up advances to a playoff competition.
"We want to be good for all the matches and perform much more consistently," Koeman said. "We have shown that against one of the best countries in the world, which gives us confidence."
One problem Koeman admitted, however, was the lack of a recognised centre forward.
"We don't have top strikers now. I don't know what is coming through the ranks with the 15-16-year-olds, but it is clear that at the moment we do not have the classic striker of the past. Players like (Patrick) Kluivert, (Klaas-Jan) Huntelaar, and (Ruud) Van Nistelrooy. You don't see players like them around anymore."
Koeman is not sure who would lead the line in the qualifiers over the next week.
"It will probably be Memphis (Depay) or Wout (Weghorst) at the top of the attack," he said. "But (Cody) Gakpo and (Donyell) Malen are all possibilities in that position."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
30 minutes ago
- CNA
Uzbekistan qualify for World Cup for first time after draw with UAE
ABU DHABI :Uzbekistan qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time at the eighth attempt after a 0-0 draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov made a trio of second-half saves to ensure the Uzbeks picked up the point required to secure progress from Asian Group A alongside Iran, who have already qualified.
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Australia on brink of World Cup after dramatic late winner
onnor Metcalfe of Australia controls the ball under pressure from Joel Chima Fujita of Japan during the World Cup qualifier. EPA-EFE – Left-back Aziz Behich scored a last-minute winner as Australia moved to the brink of qualification for the 2026 World Cup Finals with a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on June 5. With time running out, Behich pounced on Riley McGree's cut back and turned to lash the ball into the net to the delight of a crowd of 57,226 fans who had endured a laboured performance from the Socceroos. Australia remain in second place in Group C behind the already qualified Japanese and will go through to the Finals if third-placed Saudi Arabia fail to beat Bahrain in Riffa later in the day – the result of that match was not available at press time. Even if the later result in Bahrain goes against them, Australia's superior goal difference means that they will progress to a sixth successive World Cup with anything barring a heavy defeat when they meet the Saudis in Jeddah on June 10. Teams that finish in the top two of the six-team group guarantee their automatic spot at the World Cup. 'It hasn't quite sunk in just yet but when that final whistle went it was a great feeling,' Behich said. 'It was a tough game, we knew we had to grind it out. The boss said at half-time that no matter how tough it gets, we will get our opportunity if we get to it. Fortunately enough it fell to me and my right foot. 'In a football sense, this is the best week (of my life). It has been a long campaign and we have worked so hard over this campaign. The group we have in this changeroom and the boys that come in every camp, the mentality is second to none. 'I think that we more than deserve to go to the World Cup again.' Australia's first win over Samurai Blue in 16 years and Japan's first international loss since February last year looked highly unlikely for 89 minutes until Behich struck. Japan, who were the first country to qualify for the World Cup, rested most of their top players and fielded a team with three debutants but still dominated possession as Australia struggled to get a foothold in the contest. Outworked and starved of the ball, the Socceroos won their first corner after half an hour which resulted in their first shot, a glancing header wide from Connor Metcalfe. For all their possession, the Samurai Blue produced little to trouble Mat Ryan in the Australia goal with new cap Yu Hirakawa coming closest to scoring with a low shot that flew past the post in the 37th minute. Australia coach Tony Popovic made two changes at half-time to try and secure more possession but his players continued to chase shadows as Hajime Moriyasu's young team stroked the ball around. The Japanese still lacked a cutting edge up front even after a bit more experience came off the bench and substitute Takefusa Kubo beat Ryan but missed the target with a great opportunity in the 80th minute. Australia never gave up, however, and substitute midfielder McGree finally produced a moment of quality to turn his defender and get to the byline before pulling the ball back for Behich to score the goal. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was disappointed with the loss even if it was of little consequence. 'Although many players with little experience played, they made the best preparations to play in our style, so it's very disappointing that the result didn't come to fruition in the end,' he said. 'I'm very disappointed that we couldn't deliver a victory... but time's not coming back. We'll do our best to prepare to win the next match at home and finish off the campaign.' REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Late Behich strike puts Australia on brink of World Cup
Left back Aziz Behich scored a last-minute winner as Australia moved to the brink of qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 win over Japan in Perth on Thursday. With time running out, Behich pounced on Riley McGree's cut back and turned to lash the ball into the net to the delight of a crowd of 57,226 that had endured a laboured performance from the Socceroos. Australia remain in second place in Group C behind the already qualified Japanese and will go through to the finals if third-placed Saudi Arabia fail to beat Bahrain in Riffa later on Thursday. Even if the later result in Bahrain goes against them, Australia's superior goal difference means they will progress to a sixth successive World Cup with anything barring a heavy defeat when they meet the Saudis in Jeddah next Tuesday. "It's a great feeling," said Behich. "It was a tough game. We knew we had to grind it out. The boss at halftime said no matter how tough it gets, we'll get our opportunity if we stick to it. And fortunately enough, it fell for me." Australia's first win over Samurai Blue in 16 years and Japan's first international loss since February last year looked highly unlikely for 89 minutes until Behich struck. Japan, who were the first country to qualify for the World Cup, rested most of their top players and fielded a team with three debutants but still dominated possession as Australia struggled to get a foothold in the contest. Outworked and starved of the ball, the Socceroos won their first corner after half an hour which resulted in their first shot, a glancing header wide from Connor Metcalfe. For all their possession, the Samurai Blue produced little to trouble Mat Ryan in the Australia goal with new cap Yu Hirakawa coming closest to scoring with a low shot that flew past the post in the 37th minute. Australia coach Tony Popovic made two changes at halftime to try and secure more possession but his players continued to chase shadows as Hajime Moriyasu's young team stroked the ball around. The Japanese still lacked a cutting edge up front even after a bit more experience came off the bench and substitute Takefusa Kubo beat Ryan but missed the target with a great opportunity in the 80th minute. Australia never gave up, however, and substitute midfielder McGree finally produced a moment of quality to turn his defender and get to the byline before pulling the ball back for Behich to score the goal. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
