Dutch drubbed by Belgium on Van Gaal return
Reuters - Wednesday 15 August 2012, 22:09
Netherlands coach Louis van
Gaal started his second spell in charge with a painful 4-2
defeat by neighbours Belgium in a friendly international on
Wednesday.
Van Gaal chose Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as his first-choice
striker and kept Robin van Persie on the bench, while right back
Ricardo van Rhijn was the only new name from the team that lost
all three group stage matches at Euro 2012.
"Despite a poor first half performance in ball possession we
created six chances," Van Gaal told SBS6-TV.
"Second half we started well with a well-executed building
game.
"The personal foul [of Nigel de Jong] was crucial as we were
in control and not only conceded the equaliser but also allowed
Belgium back in the match."
With a 4-3-3 starting formation and one holding midfielder
in De Jong, the Dutch made a stuttering start and fell
behind after 20 minutes when Kevin Mirallas set up Belgium
striker Christian Benteke to open the scoring.
Despite creating several chances before the break, the Dutch
had to wait till nine minutes into the second half for the
equaliser when 20-year-old left-back Bruno Martins Indi launched
Arjen Robben who set up Luciano Narsingh to score.
A minute later Martin Indi connected with Robben again and
the winger found Huntelaar who put the Dutch ahead.
But between the 75th and 80th minutes the young Dutch
defence collapsed under the pressure of the passionate Belgian
attack.
First De Jong failed to control the ball and lost it to
Dries Mertens who equalised and he set up Romelu Lukaku a minute
later.
Central defender Jan Vertonghen sealed the Dutch side's
fourth straight defeat, their first four-match losing streak
since 1954, from a pass by Mertens.
The Netherlands start their World Cup 2014 qualifying
campaign on September 7 at home against Turkey, while Belgium travel
Wales.