Van Basten blames Portugal’s tricks and time wasting

HOLLAND manager Marco van Basten believes Portugal’s mastery of the dark arts of footballing deception was the reason behind Holland’s dramatic World Cup exit.

Both sides finished Sunday’s fiery second-round clash with nine players as referee Valentin Ivanov brandished a record-equalling 16 yellow cards and a record-breaking four reds as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s troops progressed to the quarter-finals.

But van Basten felt Portugal’s win owed as much to skullduggery as it did to Maniche’s 23rd-minute strike which ultimately settled the game.

“The difference between our team and Portugal was that they were just a little bit more experienced,” said the former AC Milan and Ajax striker.

“We saw all of the tricks and time wasting and that was a pity.”

Scolari added to the explosive cocktail by reacting angrily towards van Basten following a challenge on Luis Figo, but the Dutch coach refused to be drawn into a debate over the actions of the wily Figo.

“It was so loud, I couldn’t hear what he said,” said van Basten.

“Portugal wasted so much time. But if you are going to talk about fair play, you have to watch yourself first.”

While the Dutch legend saw the behaviour of the Portuguese as a key element in the Iberian side’s progression, he also accepted responsibility for his team’s defeat.

“We tried a lot. We created some chances in the beginning, we tried to play down the wings and in the last part of the game, when Portugal were defending, we just tried with the high balls because we couldn’t get through. We were just unlucky that we couldn’t score,” he said.

“If you look at how they edged forward with their tricks and playing for time and theatrics, it played a role. We did point it out on several occasions. We controlled the game but we lost the ball and they counter-attacked and we are to blame for the defeat also.”

Meanwhile, Portugal coach Scolari does not believe he has the measure of England counterpart Sven-Goran Eriksson despite overcoming him in the past two tournaments. Scolari’s side take on England in the last eight of the World Cup next Saturday in a repeat of their quarter-final clash at Euro 2004.

Scolari came out on top on that occasion, as he did in 2002 when his Brazil side overcame England.

“There’s no advantage on one coach in relation to another,” said Scolari.

“I would like to have the ability and quality of Eriksson. Just because I beat him once or twice does not mean I’m better than him. He has good capabilities and we respect each other.”

Portugal won on penalties in 2004 and Scolari was commended for out-coaching Eriksson in Shizuoka four years ago as Brazil came from behind to win 2-1 despite playing much of the second half with 10 men.

Scolari’s task will be more difficult against the English this time around as the Portuguese will definitely be missing midfield duo Deco and Costinha.

“We have to set the team up for England. We know we have some extra difficulties but it’s part of my job,” said Scolari.

“I don’t know if I can speak in place of Eriksson but I’m sure he will look at our game and, like any competent coach, he will make his decisions depending on how we play

“We are going to have to change one or two things because we have lost some players but we have confident players on the bench so I’m not concerned. We have 23 players in the squad, now 21, with a will that I have never seen in a Portugal team before and that will can sometimes overcome what England has.”