Dutch dismay at Kane penalty award as luck runs out for Koeman
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NO surprise that reaction in the Netherlands to their Euro 2024 exit has been less about Ollie Watkins’ late late show and more about the dubious penalty that gifted England a route back in the semi-final in Dortmund.
Dutch television coverage insisted "international press were unanimous about the penalty moment with Dumfries", with former international Rafael van der Vaart letting rip at Gareth Southgate’s side.
"What a s**t team they are," he fumed to Dutch broadcaster NOS. "Slowly, they didn’t want to do anything anymore."
Pierre van Hooijdonk, who was working alongside Van der Vaart for NOS, added: ‘(Referee) Felix Zwayer and the VAR Bastian Dankert: blacklisted. Terrible.’ This heartbreak was similarly shared elsewhere, with De Telegraaf highlighting how Dutch ‘dreams were shattered’ after Watkins’ dramatic late goal.
However, De Telegraaf also claimed that: "Luck ran out for Koeman and unstable Oranje", perhaps in reference to their run to the final four which came after they finished third in their group.
“Referee Felix Zwayer did nothing,” added Willem Vissers in de Volkskrant. “The VAR, originally appointed to filter out ‘clear and obvious mistakes’ from football, has long since exceeded its authority by correcting the referee at the most inconvenient times. And so it was here.”
Dutch manager Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk were unhappy with the referee, though as Algemeen Dagblad reported, Dumfries himself was not so certain of the injustice.
“It was a rollercoaster,” the defender said. “The penalty moment, the ball just fell in between us. I went to block the ball, so I just touched him. There is contact, so you know [the referee] can give a foul. I take responsibility for that. You do everything to prevent a goal, but then it happens. That really sucks.”
Patrick van Ijzendoorn wrote in Algemeen Dagblad: “Southgate kept faith in his captain and that quickly paid off against the Dutch when Kane cleverly won a penalty. Even the English agreed that Zwayer’s decision was scandalous, especially since it was preceded by Saka’s handball.”
Mike Verweij wrote in De Telegraaf that the contact was “too light” for a penalty though his colleague Valentine Driessen admitted Dutch luck ran out, coming up against an England side that finally produced a performance worthy of their abundance of talent.
“The quality of the English finally came through,” wrote De Telegraaf. “With the help of 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo and Phil Foden, England seized the initiative, meaning that almost the entire first half took place in Dutch territory.”
In any case, the ‘Curse of Koeman’ has now been undone, a reference to the infamous foul by the then Dutch centre back on David Platt during Graham Taylor’s time as manager.
“As brilliant as Spain are, there is a growing sense in England that the hand of football history rests on the shoulders of Gareth Southgate’s lions. Late goals, refereeing strokes of luck and a favourable route to the final in Berlin. If football doesn’t come home now, when will it?”
Ronald Koeman used social media Thursday to issue a heartfelt thank you to his team and supporters. The Dutch returned home from their base at Wolfsburg after the 2-1 defeat with Koeman posting on X (@RonaldKoeman) a final word on the campaign in Germany.
“Our adventure came to a painful end last night in the semi-final, in a match in which our team gave everything. I am proud of this great group of players and staff, who have worked together with enormous dedication.
"The support from all Oranje fans was also unparalleled and overwhelming: wherever we went, they coloured the host cities orange. I would like to thank everyone for this wonderful trip, we showed who we are and put the Netherlands back on the map."
Koeman is staying on as coach, with the Dutch now setting their sights on the 2026 World Cup, but they first compete in the Nations League and their next matches are at home to Bosnia in Eindhoven on Sept. 7 and Germany in Amsterdam on Sept. 10.
Skipper Van Dijk will consider his future for both club and country over the next few weeks as he processes the disappointment of their Dortmund elimination.
Van Dijk, who turned 33 on Monday, said he would spend the next weeks figuring out his next career steps after nine years, and 75 caps, in the Netherlands team, plus with a single season left on his contract at Liverpool.
“I haven't the slightest idea right now. I will think carefully this summer about what I want at club level and as an international player. Then we'll go for it again, but first recover from this,” Van Dijk said.
"After a season like this, where all kinds of things have happened, it gets emotional at the end because you know it's over,.
“Especially in the second half I had the feeling the outcome would fall our way. But (Ollie) Watkins was perhaps given a little too much space and he finished well.
“It hurts a lot that we conceded this goal so late in the match and are now empty-handed. You put everything into it, everyone gives everything and if the goal comes like that in the last minute, that just sucks. Yes ... sorry."