Holland coach Dick Advocaat has launched a stinging attack on his side after their 1-1 draw with Germany. Ruud van Nistelrooy's 81st-minute goal rescued a point for the Dutch in their Group D opener but Advocaat was far from happy with their performance.
"We played much too slowly. No-one was prepared to take responsibility and try something inspirational," he said.
"It was so conservative and it was only after making some changes at half-time that anything different was tried."
He added: "The players should have displayed more of the natural skills they possess and which everyone knows they have.
"Simply passing it across the pitch and not trying to penetrate the opposition is not what is expected of a Dutch international. It is certainly something which we will be working on.
"Everyone is willing as it has been evident in training but that is not good enough unless they can produce it on the day of the match."
MMIX
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