The Netherlands remain top of Group G in World Cup qualifying, but their recent displays against Poland and Lithuania have generated more doubts than reassurance for coach Ronald Koeman.
The Dutch sit on 10 points from four matches, edging Poland on goal difference, though their closest rivals have already played an additional fixture. Despite their strong position, a home draw with Poland and an unconvincing 3-2 win away to Lithuania have left supporters and analysts questioning the team’s progress.
Captain Virgil van Dijk was forthright after the narrow victory in Kaunas, highlighting fundamental issues in the Dutch performance. He pointed to sloppy passing, losing too many individual battles, and failing to react to loose balls as critical weaknesses. Van Dijk emphasised that while securing three points was essential, such lapses could prove costly in tougher fixtures later in the campaign.
The Netherlands had raced into a 2-0 lead but then allowed 143rd-ranked Lithuania to equalise before half-time. Memphis Depay ultimately spared his side with a second-half winner, his second of the night, which also made him the national team’s all-time leading scorer with 52 goals. Still, Van Dijk argued that the forward’s personal success did little to disguise the collective shortcomings.
Koeman reshaped his side after the disappointing draw with Poland, aiming to inject more penetration through midfield and a stronger attacking presence. Yet, against Lithuania, his side once again lacked control.
The coach admitted his team had taken unnecessary risks and placed themselves under avoidable pressure. In the final stages, he even deployed a fifth defender to add defensive stability — a decision he described as a pragmatic necessity rather than part of his intended game plan.
Reflecting on the performance, Koeman acknowledged his frustration at the inconsistency, saying the flashes of quality his side produced were undermined by long stretches where they failed to assert dominance.
The Netherlands will resume their qualification campaign in October, travelling to Malta before hosting Finland. A decisive group fixture looms in mid-November, when they face Poland away in what is likely to be the key battle for control of Group G.
