Mark van Bommel happy with Japan win
Van Marwijk – We can win 'pretty'
Posted: 2010-06-19 18:42
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk says he won’t compromise the Dutch footballing philosophy and insists his side can win ‘pretty’.
Speaking to CBC Sports after his side’s 1-0 win against Japan in Durban courtesy of Wesley Sneijder’s strike, Van Marwijk said: “Let me assure you that we really, really want to win and if we can do that in style, then great. But you have to be able to win ‘ugly’ games.”
Midfielder Mark van Bommel was happy with the win, saying the three points were the most important thing.
“We wanted the victory. Japan played defensively; we expected them to be more aggressive and offensive. It was a match of patience.
“Of course we had some luck in the goal, but in the end we could have won 2-0 after our counter-attacks. But Japan also had some chances.”
The Netherlands now have six points and sit at the top of Group E, leaving them on the verge of qualification for the second round.
They round off their first round matches against Cameroon on Thursday, knowing a point will be enough to see them through; though if the Indomitable Lions fail to beat Denmark this evening, they will become the first team to seal a place in the knockout stage with a game to spare.
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