By Roseline Oyelakin
“During a press conference on Friday, Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the criticism directed towards the Dutch team and himself, stating, “I understand the criticism entirely and recognize that I can improve my performance. I didn’t play to my usual standards in the match against Austria, and I take full responsibility for my actions. I should have brought more to the game.
“Van Dijk also hinted at overconfidence within the team, saying, “Perhaps we overestimated our abilities. We had to engage in some soul-searching and analyze our mistakes. The performance against Austria was unacceptable, and we’ve discussed various aspects of our game that need improvement.
“The Dutch captain emphasized that the issues weren’t tactical but rather a lack of determination and winning mentality. “It’s not about the coaches; it’s about the players taking responsibility among themselves. We’ve had some tough conversations, and I hope we can show improvement moving forward.
“Van Dijk expressed disappointment that the criticism hasn’t led to tangible improvements, stating, “Unfortunately, the same issues persist, and it’s disappointing to have to address them again. However, I believe it’s essential to acknowledge and confront our shortcomings head-on.”