Dutch legend Marco van Basten let rip at Virgil van Dijk’s defending after Netherlands’ 1-1 draw against Ecuador on Friday....CONTINUE READING
Louis van Gaal’s side took the lead at the Khalifa International Stadium thanks to Cody Gakpo’s first-half strike, but Enner Valencia’s goal salvaged a point for Ecuador. The result means the Netherlands remain at risk of being eliminated in the World Cup group stage.
Three-time Ballon d’Or winner Van Basten, who was part of the Netherlands’ squad that won Euro ’88, has blamed Van Dijk for Valencia’s equaliser. The Liverpool defender failed to block Pervis Estupinan’s strike, which was parried into the path of Valencia.
“Van Dijk is just waiting and watching him shoot,” Van Basten told NOS.
“What is he looking at? He needs to be on top of him! He just lets him shoot!”
The Netherlands remain the favourites to finish top of Group A and must win their final game against Qatar to make sure that happens.
The hosts are already out of the World Cup after losing both of their opening games – suffering a 3-1 defeat to Senegal on Friday.
As such, there is a lot of pressure on Van Dijk and his teammates to deliver. The Netherlands failed to qualify for the last World Cup and Euro 2016.
They’ve won just one major men’s honour before – and that was thanks to Van Basten’s brilliance 34 years ago.
Van Dijk was asked about Van Basten’s comments in his post-match interview.
