Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has revealed that two players refused to take the first penalty in the defeat to Argentina before Ron Vlaar stepped up.

  • By Michael Bell
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vlaar openVlaar was picked to replace Van Persie as the first spot kick taker after the striker had been substituted, but the defender’s weak effort was easily saved, before Argentina went on to win the shoot-out and book a place in the World Cup final.

Van Gaal has now revealed that the defender was not his first choice, but the coach had faith in the Aston Villa star who had been excellent throughout the match.

The Netherlands coach told ANP, “I asked two players ahead of Vlaar to take the first penalty,”

“They refused. Vlaar in my view was our best player. Unfortunately he didn’t score,”

It is not clear yet who the two players where who refused to take the penalty where.




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