- Title: NETHERLANDS: DUTCH TEAM PREPARE FOR EURO 2000 QUARTER-FINAL AGAINST YUGOSLAVIA.
- Date: 23rd June 2000
- Summary: HOENDERLOO, NETHERLANDS (JUNE 23, 2000) 1. VARIOUS DUTCH TEAM TRAINING 2. (SOUNDBITE) (DUTCH) FRANK RIJKAARD SPEAKING: "In each match the team spirit is important and I think as a group we have grown in that respect. I have spoken about the mentality of the players before and it hasn't cost me any extra work. On the other side, I always have to keep on paying attention to it but as it is now, it is ok. 2. DUTCH TEAM ON PITCH 3. (SOUNDBITE) (dutch) FRANK RIJKAARD SPEAKING: "They are difficult opponents, and they have a certain fighting mentality and a certain flexiblity in their team and I think they will use that against us as well and that will include duels, I have seen them against the Norwegians and they used everything within their power to win it and I don't expect that they will do anything else against us. But that is what soccer is all about. I can't say now that it will be a harsh game, that is some thing we will have to see but we are prepared for it. 4. DENNIS BERGKAMP 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) DENNIS BERGKAMP SPEAKING: "We would like to play our own game, if we can hopefully that will be enough. We showed that we are growing in the tournemant, that we are focusing on our own game and if that can happen, we should be better than the Yugoslavs. 6. FRANK RIJKAARD 7. TEAM TRAINING 8. (SOUNDBITE) (eNGLISH) Its going to be difficult, it's a tough team, and we know they can scorek goals and we have to be carfeful. 9. TEAM TRAINING Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 8th July 2000 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: HOENDERLOO, NETHERLANDS
- Country: Netherlands
- Reuters ID: LVADDOP7F5Y8GIVMG727WCFLAADR
- Story Text: Midfielder Ronald de Boer remains the main injury
concern for the Dutch ahead of their Euro 2000 quarterfinal
against Yugoslavia on Sunday (June 25), in Rotterdam.
De Boer, who has a hip injury, was not able to train on
Friday (JUNE 23) but goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who
strained his left thigh a week ago, appears on the road to
recovery.
Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard declined to say whether he
believed his number one 'keeper would be ready by Sunday,
although the player described himself as being 90 percent fit.
Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard, who lambasted his players
last week for their lack of toughness, believes his team has
now got the right mental approach for the Euro 2000
quarter-finals.
Rijkaard said that his team was ready for what is likely
to be a tough game with Yugoslavia in Rotterdam.
"The team has grown as a group and we're a strong unit
now. I have no extra work now," Rijkaard said.
Rijkaard rates the Yugoslavs as dangerous opponents with
fighting qualities.
"They offer very tough opposition, but we must go in full
of confidence and aware of our own strengths," Rijkaard said.
Rijkaard was assistant trainer to the then head coach Guus
Hiddink when the two teams last met in the last 16 of the
World Cup in France.
The Dutch won 2-1 with a long-range Edgar Davids strike in
the 90th minute, but only after Predag Mijatovic had hit a
penalty against the Dutch crossbar.
"It was a very tense match in which we gave a goal away
too easily. We didn't dominate the game, but used our will
power to push us through," the Dutch coach said.
Defensive failings are again on Rijkaard's mind as he
looks forward to Sunday after his side let in two goals
against a French side packed with reserves in their last group
game.
Both came from corners. The Dutch had failed to react
quickly enough, Rijkaard said.
"I hope these were just one-offs. But this is an aspect of
our defence we have to look at," he said. "Obviously
Yugoslavia are very dangerous from set pieces."
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