The Orange's week: braver outside the field than inside it

The fear of losing was stronger than the absolute will to win. The Dutch national team lost a certain victory against Japan, but national coach Ronald Koeman could live with the reward of fear (2-2). “This isn't the best thing you're going to see.”


After seventy minutes the signs went up. Ronald Koeman exchanged his most dangerous attackers, Donyell Malen and Crysencio Summerville, and midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for midfielders Teun Koopmeiners and Quinten Timber and the half-fit Memphis Depay. With a 2-1 lead, all the speed left the field. Later, Cody Gakpo also left. Gone was all the depth in the game. The Dutch invited Japan to a final offensive that also resulted in the equalizer, when Ogawa headed home via Kamada. This story comes from the VI weekly magazine.