Frank de Boer was annoyed that his Netherlands debut ended in defeat but praised debutantes Owen Wijndal and Teun Koopmeiners.
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Raul Jimenez’s second-half penalty condemned Netherlands to a 1-0 defeat in De Boer’s first game in charge.
Afterwards, he spoke with NOS, “The result is annoying. But it is a friendly game. I had indicated in advance that we are not playing with the strongest possible team, so maybe you could give that as an excuse.”
De Boer’s isn’t too worried about the loss and is concentrating on the Nations League ties with Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy, “Of course I have a bad feeling, because I want to win. But you also know that we did not throw all the arrows on this game, but on the other two. That makes sense. I don’t think I am the first coach to lose on his debut, that’s almost tradition. “
On Wijndal, De Boer said, “It is not nothing to make your debut. He started a bit rough, but that is possible. I can also remember my own international debut. He fought back well. But of course he can do better.”
De Boer was impressed by Koopmeiners, who came in for Frenkie de Jong, “We all know that he (De Jong) Is very important. But then you do Teun Koopmeiners too short, he played a great match. He played very well for ninety minutes. Of course Frenkie has been at this level for some time. We all know what he can do. “
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What a great game. For Mexico that is. The Dutch did not come anywhere near a goal until the 85th minute. If not for a great game by Tim Krul the score could have been 0-3 for Mexico. One more thing, how do you expect to score when you keep the ball on your own side of the pitch?
Will De Boer make it to Euros? So much talent & the team doesn’t look like the plethora of talent & attacking threat we saw under Koeman who will probably not have a job come Euros either bc Barca will have new president by then.
Koopmeiners stole the show & thrilled for him AZ are lucky to have kept him imo I think with Idrissi gone Boadu & Stengs & Wijndal got more fan fare but Koop is left footed terrier who is solid at CB DM B2B tidy passer, physical, moves play forward passing or carry & great from the spot. All action mid who could easily play for a top 5 league Europa League or higher club. Milan & other Serie A have shown interest he would do great there but Id love to see in PL I think see DMs going for £50m plus & he would be £15-18m. His work rate dedication versatility & engine would see him excel in PL imo. I’d love to see West Ham go for him as partner & cover For Rice & Souček or mid 3 of them or in back 3 on left working out. Look at some of the players that cost £20m & Koop be a bargain at that
It’s like a different team. I agree about Krul I thought he got tested harsh under Rafa Benetiz & imo definitely top 5 keeper. One of the best if not best when comes to ‘Pens’ knows how to play the mental side so well too. Shame so attacking talent & the best players where Krul & Koopmeiners. De Boer just seems to deflate attacking players dunno why but last few roles goes into good attacking sides besides Palace & they lose that fliar