Oranje lose 2-1 at home to Greece, pressure mounts on Danny Blind

Marco van Basten and Danny Blind watching Thursday's home defeat. Photo: Sander Chamid
Marco van Basten and Danny Blind watching Thursday’s home defeat. Photo: Sander Chamid

The Dutch press were scathing about Oranje’s 2-1 defeat by Greece in a World Cup qualification warm up on Thursday night. ‘Oranje, once again it was nothing,’ wrote the Telegraaf on its website, pointing out that the squad is in the middle of an extremely difficult period.

Dick Advocaat has quit as assistant coach and his intended replacement Ruud Gullit failed to agree terms with the KNMI. Assistant trainer Marco van Basten is also leaving and director Bert van Oostveen has stepped down.

‘The malaise in the KNVB is apparent on the pitch,’ wrote the NRC in its report of the match. Next week’s qualification match against Sweden is ‘crucial for coach Danny Blind’, the paper said.

‘The chaos surrounding him is mitigating but Blind must know that if he can’t win in Solna that he is no longer the man to lead the team,’ the NRC said.

The Volkskrant says a large number of supporters will have no regrets if Blind does go. And the AD reports that parts of the crowd were singing anti-Blind lyrics during the match. Blind has, the paper points out, now lost four home games with his Oranje squad.

After leading Oranje into 11 games, Blind has won five, lost five and drawn one. But four defeats on home soil is a low point, the Telegraaf said.

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