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The Netherlands endured a shock past-16 exit from Euro 2020 at the arms of the Czech Republic – but 1 Dutch guy felt the sense of obligation of an early exit far more than other people.
With the teams level at -, Matthijs de Ligt was despatched off in the next half for handball when he denied Patrik Schick a crystal clear goalscoring possibility.
Thirteen minutes soon after their talismanic younger defender trudged off the pitch, the Netherlands had been powering and they unsuccessful to react.
Aims from Tomas Holes and Schick sooner or later did the harm but De Ligt faced up to the media later on, indicating “we essentially missing the match because of what I did”.
“Of training course, it feels bad. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have allow the ball bounce,” he told Dutch public broadcaster NOS.
“I experienced it less than management. The ball came and I allow it bounce. I fell to the ground and acquired pushed, which manufactured me use my arms.
“The minute adjusted the sport and I sense liable. I saw how the guys fought following and I am very pleased of it. But I experience poor about the incident.”
De Ligt was specified aid by his manager Frank de Boer, who explained “you can often blame it on me”.
“I am responsible at the conclusion of working day. I need to have to consider a look in the mirror. I consider this team can reach almost everything but now the feelings are raw.
“We will have a massive hangover. I will consider this bitter tablet tonight and afterwards we will see what takes place.”
But did the Netherlands show adequate struggle and were being the Czechs tactically far better?
‘The Dutch failed to show ample respect’
The Dutch grew to become the very first side in the heritage of the levels of competition to earn all 3 team online games and then go on to shed in 90 minutes in the 1st knockout spherical.
And former England striker Dion Dublin stated they failed to clearly show the Czech Republic “enough respect”.
“The Czechs were greater in all departments. They had superior determination. It was disappointing from the Dutch. They have all the expertise in the world.
“We know how nicely they did in the group stage but all the things about them nowadays was under no circumstances heading to get them above the line. Sometimes you have to give your fellow specialists a small far more respect.”
Previous Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong informed ITV it was a “poor” screen.
“There was a deficiency of depth, aggression and mentality. Sometimes when you can find a crimson card the crew pulls jointly, but the Netherlands didn’t do that,” he included.
But midfielder Frenkie de Jong insisted his facet “did not underestimate” the Czech Republic.
“It was almost as if we were being drained, even though I have no idea why. We genuinely wished to get it. We just could not get our game heading. Often you have times like that.”
‘The Czech Republic ended up tactically ready’
For the Czech Republic, it was their 1st victory in the knockout phases of a important match because Euro 2004.
On that situation they beat Denmark 3- in the quarter-finals – the exact same opponent they now encounter in the final 8.
Previous Dutch global Mario Melchiot instructed BBC 5 Reside: “The tactical level of how the Czech Republic performed was completely distinctive.
“Search at the aims the Dutch conceded. Tactically, the Czech Republic were ready, they established the workforce out and the electrical power degree that they brought was extraordinary.”
The Czechs, ranked 40th in the world, will deal with another hard examination from Denmark in Azerbaijan but goalscorer Holes has belief.
“It really is unreal, like a aspiration,” he said. “It was the activity of my daily life. We had been the underdogs today, and possibly just before in the group stage. I believe we can however shock Denmark, perhaps even past that.”
