After calling in a psychologist, the Dutch defender bounced back brilliantly. He is now waiting for Messi and Co.
Affected by criticism after the first round of the World Cup, defender Denzel Dumfries called on a psychologist to bounce back masterfully in the round of 16 against the United States and wait more calmly for the quarter against Argentina.
«It’s true that I could have played better (in the group stage). But I showed mental resilience. I’m glad I was able to take my revenge“, declared on NOS television the defender, author Saturday of a goal and two assists against the USA (3-1).
Criticized by some former glories in the flat country, pointed out by the Italian media for performances deemed insufficient during the first three matches, the right side of Inter Milan confesses to having “doubt».
To the point of having called twice, by videoconference, to his psychologist, Annemieke Zijerveld.
And for the first time, in the interview area of Khalifa Stadium on Saturday, Dumfries, 26, spoke about this sometimes taboo but increasingly regularly discussed topic by top athletes.
«It’s the first time I talk about it and it’s nice to do it. I’m transparent about it“, he said in remarks reported by the daily Algemeen Dagblad.
«Mentally, it was difficult after the group stage. I had to find inner peace, get back to basics. I was able to take my revenge. I am grateful to him“, he added about the one who has supported him since the start of his professional career at Sparta Rotterdam.
«It’s not always easy to be a footballer. We are at the heart (of) societal issues. We are sometimes vulnerable. (…) Criticism affects us. It is an underexposed aspect (of the job)“, said the former PSV player again.
Van Gaal «iron» of his side
«Surrounded by the right people“, Dumfries, for whom”mental resilience is a fundamental aspectof high-level sport, therefore finally appeared in its best light against the United States.
The right piston of 3-5-2 dear to coach Louis van Gaal first delivered two assists to Memphis Depay (1-0, 10th) and Daley Blind (2-0, 45th + 1) before relieving his team by scoring the 3-1 goal when the Americans had reduced the score.
A performance that made him say that the tactics put in place by Van Gaal are the right ones.
«On the goals we scored (Saturday), I made an assist to Daley (Blind), the other side (left), and he gave me one. This demonstrates the qualities of our system and we hope it will continue“, he advanced.
With congratulations (and a warm kiss in worldview) from his coach, who said afterwards: “I’m incredibly proud of my full-backs.»
As for Depay’s opening goal, it was preceded by a series of twenty assists, underlining the collective strength of the Netherlands.
So Argentina has been warned. Dumfries and the Dutch have increased in power over the first four meetings, and it is a now well-oiled machine that awaits Lionel Messi and his teammates. On a firm footing and, above all, with a liberated spirit.
