We can be even better, Van Dijk warns
Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries set up their first two goals and netted a decisive third to ensure a 3-1 victory over the United States on Saturday and a spot in the World Cup quarter-finals, thwarting US efforts at a late comeback.
Dumfries ended any hopes the Americans had of staging a rescue act after they had gone 2-0 down at halftime, tucking away a third goal for the Dutch that made sure of their victory and put the seal on an influential personal performance.
The United States had cut the deficit through Haji Wright in the 76th minute, but their hopes lasted just five minutes before Louis van Gaal's team wrapped up the win to set up a clash with Argentina or Australia, who were playing later.
The Dutch looked in command of the opening last-16 tie in front of a 44,846 crowd with two goals scored in similar fashion as Dumfries crossed from the right for Memphis Depay to net in the 10th minute and then Daley Blind on the stroke of halftime.
But they allowed the Americans back into the contest as substitute Wright scored a bizarre goal, a cross from Christian Pulisic hitting his heel and looping into the net.
It was another Dutch performance at the Qatar World Cup that will not please their demanding supporters as they were unusually cautious at times, played at a slow tempo, and lived dangerously by allowing the Americans plenty of possession.
Denzel Dumfries was aware that the Oranje had not left a great impression in the group stages, which some suggested was because he and Daley Blind did not bring enough as wingbacks. This time Blind was good for an assist and a goal while Dumfries produced two assists and a goal.
"I was focused. I'm glad I was able to help the team. We have of course had some criticism lately. This is a good boost for both of us, for us as wingbacks," Dumfries said.
He added that Van Gaal was not positive in his appraisal in the dressing room at half-time, when the Dutch were up 2-0. "Yes, the coach was critical. He said we could put a little more pressure on the ball. We were sometimes too passive in that."
Meanwhile, Blind was especially positive. "We executed the game plan really well today. I don't know if it ever happened that both wingbacks gave each other an assist. We were very compact. Their central defenders had a very difficult time with that."
But captain Virgil van Dijk was still reserved, saying the team could do better.
"I think we could do better than we showed," the defender said afterwards. "Every game I feel a step better, but we can still be much better. Because we can play football very well, we have shown that many times."
The captain especially enjoyed the first two goals that the Dutch team produced. "I think we scored two fantastic goals. Then we concede one, I actually have no idea how it went in. But then we find a way to keep fighting and it says everything about this team."
US coach Gregg Berhalter was regretful, but a sense of pride also shone through. "I think we have shown the world that Americans can also play football.
He added: "We sat in the dressing room with a rotten feeling during the break. We were certainly no less than the Netherlands, but we were 2-0 behind. Yet we kept going for the 2-1 and we made it. But 5 minutes later, the Netherlands made it 3-1. That is quality, but that was also a huge blow to us."
Van Gaal, true to nature, focused on the bad before the good.
"We have four team functions. One of them, possession of the ball, we didn't execute well," Van Gaal said after the match. "That was still not good, especially before the break, although we scored two beauties afterwards. In the second half, possession also improved. Wed score two goals from wingback to wingback, which I am very proud of."
Nevertheless, it remains clear to Van Gaal that things have to be better. "Just because you won 3-1 doesn't mean you don't have to improve. We will play against even stronger opponents."
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