Friendly: Netherlands edge Uzbekistan at the death, Verbruggen a concern before the World Cup
The Netherlands were made to work hard to see off Uzbekistan 2-1 in their final warm-up before the World Cup, on Monday night in New York at a half-empty 5,000-seat Icahn Stadium. Two Cody Gakpo penalties, the second struck in the 97th minute from the last corner of the match, eventually got the Oranje out of jail after they nearly threw away the win in stoppage time. It was hardly the sort of display Ronald Koeman wanted to see with the tournament just days away.
The numbers tell the story of Dutch wastefulness: 2.91 xG and just one goal from open play. The Netherlands piled up chances without putting the game to bed, then were pegged back in the 91st minute by Sergeev, who pounced on a poor clearance from Van Dijk to equalise. It had started well enough, though, with the opener from the spot after Urozov made a reckless challenge on Summerville in the 30th minute. But the Oranje spent far too long stuck at 1-0 despite being clearly on top.
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Verbruggen forced off injured, World Cup hopes in doubt
The other major blow of the night came in the 67th minute, when goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen had to go off injured. The Netherlands keeper was unable to continue and his fitness now raises real doubts over whether he will be ready for the World Cup, which begins on June 14 against Japan. It is a major headache for Koeman, who now has one more worry to deal with in the final days before the tournament.
The Netherlands kick off in less than two weeks, and this latest outing leaves plenty unanswered. The blunt finishing, the defensive wobble and now the injury to their first-choice keeper are all problems for a staff that had hoped to head into the World Cup with far fewer concerns. The answer comes on June 14 against Japan.
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