- De Jong criticised Netherlands‘ lack of energy vs Poland
- The Dutch remain top of Group G despite dropping points at home
- Koeman’s side face Iceland next in the World Cup qualifiers
De Jong has voiced his frustration after the Netherlands surrendered a lead to draw 1-1 with Poland in their World Cup qualifier in Rotterdam. The Dutch took a first-half lead through Denzel Dumfries but were pegged back by a late Matty Cash goal. Speaking to NOS after the game, a disappointed De Jong slammed his team’s second-half performance, stating that the “energy did wane a bit” and that they failed to put Poland under sustained pressure.
The dropped points are a significant blow to the Netherlands’ campaign in a tightly contested Group G. While the result keeps them in first place on goal difference, they missed the chance to create a cushion at the top. They are now level on seven points with both Poland and Finland. The draw will be particularly frustrating given Ronald Koeman’s team’s statistical dominance, which included 74% possession and more than double the number of shots as their opponents.
De Jong said: “No, not necessarily [did I see the equaliser coming]. But in the second half, the energy did wane a bit. I didn’t feel like we were really pinning them down, creating opportunity after opportunity and really putting them under pressure. I think the second half was a bit less successful.
“I don’t know why things went better in the first half than in the second. Sometimes it has to do with positioning. And choices on the ball, and how you position yourself when you lose possession. But on the other hand, they weren’t really dangerous, except for that long-range shot that went in.”
Asked if he was satisfied with the result, he said: “No, no, no. If you draw at home, you can never be satisfied. It doesn’t necessarily affect our self-confidence, but we simply have to win these kinds of matches at home. I think our self-confidence is still high.”
The pressure now increases for the Oranje ahead of their next qualifying fixture against fourth-placed Lithuania on Sunday. De Jong’s public criticism will serve as a demand for higher standards and a complete 90-minute performance from the squad. With the top of the group so congested, any further slip-ups, particularly in home matches, could jeopardise their chances of securing an automatic qualification spot and risk forcing them into the unpredictable play-off route.
