Van Hooijdonk worries about Dutch international after matches against Algeria and Uzbekistan | Goal.com English

After the Netherlands’ narrow victory against Uzbekistan (2-1), Pierre van Hooijdonk is worried about Donyell Malen’s starting place. For the observer of the Dutch national team NOS, Brian Brobbey, who entered the game, clearly knocked on the door of coach Ronald Koeman.

“Malen could have done himself a huge favor by scoring against Algeria and doing it again tonight,” says Van Hooijdonk in his analysis of the ideal striker for the Netherlands at the World Cup.

His fellow analyst Klaas-Jan Huntelaar believes that Brobbey “played quite well as a substitute”. “He was not yet at his best level, and in fact the whole Dutch team gave up after half-time. However, he still found the net: scoring as soon as you have the chance is always nice,” recalls the former international, in reference to the 2-0 denied to Brobbey for offside.

Presenter Sjoerd van Ramshorst, however, recalls that Malen should logically start against Japan for the first group match of the World Cup. “Certainly,” confirms Van Hooijdonk, before quickly adding: “But it’s not good for Malen’s confidence. HAS”

“We feel like we have to compete with Memphis Depay. At first glance, we can see that it will work. And then, suddenly, we don’t score for two games. And Brobbey shoots this ball well, even if it doesn’t count. But it’s not pleasant for Malen. HAS”

Huntelaar drives the point home: “As a player, we feel it. It ends up eating away at you,” recalls the former international center forward, aware that the lack of goals can erode an attacker.

Should Koeman have shown more confidence in Malen? “Now Koeman’s role is over,” says Van Hooijdonk. “It is too late to say: “I have confidence†. Malen played two matches. If, before the match against Algeria, he had been told: “You are my number one striker†, that would have given him more self-confidence within the Dutch national team. HAS”

After the meeting, Koeman immediately expressed his perception concerning the missed occasions, tout en se elicitant de la capacité de son équipe e créer des opportunités.Â