Frank de Boer’s wait for his first victory as Netherlands boss goes on after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Bosnia & Heregovina.
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After the defeat to Mexico in midweek, Frank de Boer decided to switch to a more recognisable line-up with Daley Blind, Jasper Cillessen, Denzel Dumfries, Frenkie de Jong, Marten de Roon, and Donyell Malen all starting, while Luuk de Jong replaced the suspended Memphis Depay.
Netherlands dominated ball possession in the first half, but apart from a Stefan de Vrij header off target, they struggled to create chances.
The hosts looked more dangerous in the second half and Miralem Pjanic was denied the opener by Jasper Cillessen.
De Boer decided to bring on Steven Berghuis and Hans Hateboer which helped Netherlands look more dangerous. However, Luuk de Jong was denied by an excellent save before Frenkie de Jong saw a shot cleared from the line. The best chance then fell to substitute Ryan Babel in the last minute but he also failed to find the net.
A hopeless performance and two games in a row for De Boer without a goal. Netherlands now travel to face Italy on Wednesday.
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Where do I even begin? This is a disastrous performance that was dull, unimaginative and not even remotely creative or dangerous
I have been an oranje fan since the euro glory of 88
And this has been the toughest game to watch
They did nothing except pass the ball around
I don’t know for the life of me how FDB can sit on the sidelines and watch this putrid boring performance and wait till the 70th minute to make a change
Promes and Babel need to be dropped ASAP, they are aweful and I am being kind to them
The effort in the last third is lacking and they will get smoked in Bergamo on Wednesday
All the hard work the Koeman put in is gone and with it any hope of silverware this summer
Following them myself since ’78 Ronny so know where you are coming from. Shocking game – one of the worst I have seen and I have seen some shockers (remember the hell of England 4 Holland 1?)
It was a really really bad performance, but to say it was one of the worst you’ve ever seen is quite a stretch, even if we just look at the last 5 years. Literally half of the 2016 and 2018 qualifiers were far worse than this….away to Iceland, Turkey, and Bulgaria to name just a few. And they did get a point, something Bosnia managed against Italy as well.
Irritates me when people compeltely lose perspective. The team certainly is a very long way away from being a serious contender, but FDB or not it’s far better than it was 5 years ago.
I’m talking about the games I have seen – not every game we have ever played.
Bosnia are a pedestrian team with two long in the tooth good players – a point is better than a loss but that is two points thrown away and Italy would feel the same.
A really poor performance, especially in attack.
Wijnaldum and De Roon were both poor, failed to see some good runs and really bad passing in De Roon’s case too. He’s not a technical player and isn’t needed against opposition like this. As I noted when the squad was picked, I have no idea why Babel is in the side….awful miss at the end.
On the plus side, Frenkie De Jong played well and Berghuis looked lively in the last 10 mins.
Luckily it was a UNL match and not a WCQ or the Euros. It’s clear that other than at CB this team is far short of where it should be. Worrying signs.
FDB appears to be going all out to equal or better his Crystal Palace record. This was a crime against Dutch football.
Strongly agree with all the above.
This is anti everything the Oranje stands for. Thought the nightmare before Koeman was over.
How many times were there chances to make the pass forward but didn’t take it. Two good counter attacks were thwarted not by the opp but by Dutch mids and attacker intent on see if we can keep it long enough to get back to Cillisen, which a few ti.es could even do that. No skill, no real purpose to be seen from anyone, Virgil, Frenkie and Stefan aside.
Those three and De Light are several classes above the rest of them.
Orange need to find some ball players not passers.
And Koopmeiners simply has to take over from De Roon.
Frank De Boer is a loser and needs to go. Why would KNVB hire this guy, out of desperation. Hopefully Koeman comes back once Barcelona fire him. I can’t watch this crap!
Hi Bob
The failures before Koeman took over were explainable. They stuck with old names and threw in young talent that wasn’t yet ready ( de ligt against Bulgaria)
So yes, I expected 3 points for this game and they almost went to Italy with none
Two in a row. I was worried about this with De Boer he seems to deflate teams. With a squad full of talent is attack Midfield & defence. Once player like Depay & Gini even Babel who where killing it under Koeman look lacklustre. The only thing good from last game was Krul’ performance & Koopmeiners debut he was looking to pass forward & is underated imo in a stack mid with Frenkie De Roon Gini etc.
With Koeman in charge had good chances going into Euros & probably one of the favourites now looks like a different team