Koeman wants Dutch to down Ireland to avoid Euro delay

GET THE JOB DONE: Netherlands' coach Ronald Koeman instructs his players during the Euro 2024 group B qualifying soccer match between Greece and The Netherlands. Pic: AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis

Ronald Koeman has urged his Dutch players to book their Euro ticket with a game to spare by beating Ireland on Saturday.

Gone from the former Barcelona boss’s shoulders is the pressure he was under coming to Dublin in September when his tactical superiority over Stephen Kenny underpinned a 2-1 victory.

They then brushed off the challenge of Greece, with captain Virgil Van Dijk sinking a late penalty in Athens, putting them within touching distance of joining France from the group on the short trip to Germany for the summer Euros.

Those three wins over Greece and Ireland present latitude to lose in Amsterdam and still qualify by beating minnows Gibraltar in Tuesday’s final game but Koeman isn’t thinking of the parachute.

“The most important thing this week is that we win on Saturday and qualify for the European Championships,” he asserted on Tuesday.

Manchester City’s Nathan Aké was joined on the Dutch absent list by Steven Bergwijn and Brian Brobbey. The latter had become embroiled in a war of words with the manager, who was contrite about previous criticisms of the player’s finishing.

“I am a bad politician and sometimes you are punished for that,” he said. “He’s strong, fast, dangerous. With definitely still plenty to improve. But apparently, you’re not always allowed to say that.” 

Koeman has assumed the high ground after a sluggish start to his second spell in charge that included a 4-0 hiding by France and defeats in both of their UEFA Nations League finals matches.

Maintaining the resurgence with wins, rather than tinkering with the Euros in mind, is his objective. 

“I want to continue as we have done. There is plenty of time towards the European Championships to think about something else.” 

One element he’s finally settled on is the goalkeeper. 

Bart Verbruggen will start against Ireland, the fourth stopper of his short reign since Louis Van Gaal after their World Cup semi-final defeat on penalties to eventual champions Argentina.

He said: “We sat down with the goalkeepers this morning and indicated who will play, that is Verbruggen. It is not the case that he is 100% certain to be the first goalkeeper during the European Championship. You cannot and should not say that but, in principle, he’ll play in these two matches.”