After the 1-4 pandoing of June at the Heysel, the Belgians forgot to finish the chances in the ArenA in Amsterdam. In the second half, the Devils got the lid on their nose at a standstill: 1-0.
Despite the victory for the Netherlands, Louis van Gaal was not really satisfied with the game delivered. “We played badly,” he admitted. “I just said that to my players. In possession we were not good, in possession of the opponent it was reasonable to good.”
“We gave away very few chances and had the biggest opportunities ourselves. Steven Bergwijn might have had to score three goals.”
“We didn’t play well, but this was the victory of the group’s discipline. Although we were actually the underlying party for 90 minutes, we were able to continue playing disciplined.”
Van Gaal was also asked whether the Red Devils still have the same quality as during the 2018 World Cup. “I don’t have those qualities from four years ago,” he said.
“I always look at the Netherlands. And at England and Germany. That is very strange, because Belgium has been in first place in the FIFA ranking all this time.”
The Dutch national coach again praised goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, but gave the Belgians a small sneer to close.
“I only see Belgium play when I have to compete against them. Then we analyze them… and then we beat them,” said Van Gaal with a broad smile.
