Netherlands U17’s were easily defeated 3-0 by Japan in their opening World Cup clash.
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As European Champions, Netherlands headed to Brazil full of confidence and they are considered one of the favourites for the tournament. However, in the early hours of Monday morning, their World Cup campaign got off to a horrific start.
Netherlands began brightly but after ten minutes, Japan began to take control and they pinned the young Dutch side back. After 36 minutes, a deserved opening goal came through Yamato Wakatsuki.
Netherlands didn’t have a single shot on target during the first-half and they did not improve after the break.
With twenty minutes to go, Wakatsuki added his second before Japan were awarded a late penalty for a handball by Devyne Rensch. Jun Nishikawa scored the spot-kick to make it 3-0.
Netherlands will now have to bounce back against Senegal on Wednesday. However, the African side began their tournament with a 4-1 victory over the United States.
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I was looking forward to finally watch an Oranje youth team at the world cup. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. The current Dutch approach does not exactly do justice to the Rinus Michels and Cruyff legacy. IT IS an INSIPID Van Gaal Style of HORIZONTAL FOOTBALL WITH NO PENETRATION. If this Netherland team ever met e team like the Haitian under 17 they would be destroyed by the athleticism, thecnique and verticality of the team from the Caribbean as an idea of their INEFFECTIVENESS.