Despite scoring and earning the player of the match award, Virgil van Dijk faced criticism in the Dutch media after the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw against Japan.
The Netherlands were twice pegged back by Japan in their opening World Cup game, as Virgil van Dijk scored and Ryan Gravenberch provided both assists for Ronald Koeman’s team.
The Liverpool and Holland captain, Van Dijk, opened the scoring with a superb header in the 50th minute.
Gravenberch delivered a great cross from the right towards the defender, who pushed off his marker and directed an incredibly accurate header low, off the post and into the goal.
The lead only lasted seven minutes, though, due to a clever, near-post strike from Reims’ Keito Nakamura.
It wasn’t long before Crysencio Summerville put the Netherlands back in front, firing in a brilliant shot from just inside the box after cutting inside onto his left foot, having received a short pass from Gravenberch.
Following Summerville’s goal, Japan came to the fore and eventually got an equaliser through a header from a corner by Crystal Palace‘s Daichi Kamada.
Harsh criticism of Virgil van Dijk in the Dutch media
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands' captain Virgil van Dijk, with a bleeding cut above his left eye, during the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Much like the English media went through a phase of being very critical of the England team, the Dutch press are constantly on the players’ backs.
Despite earning the official player of the match award, as well as scoring and making more defensive contributions (9) than anyone else, Van Dijk faced disapproval back in his home country.
Former player Rafael van der Vaart voiced his strong opinion on NOS television, saying at half time: “I have to be honest, I was quite shocked by Van Dijk.
“With him, I thought that doesn’t look good, especially while turning. It is proving very difficult, a bit like a Boeing 747 turning.
“I hope he starts turning a bit faster during the tournament.”
Virgil Van Dijk of Netherlands and team mates applaud the fans after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium (Credit: Craig Mercer/ Alamy Live News)
Meanwhile, De Telegraaf journalist Valentijn Driessen took aim at coach Koeman and Van Dijk’s leadership:
“Van Dijk denies everything too; he really follows Koeman’s lead. It looks as if they sat down together just before the press conference to go over a strategy.
“If I were Virgil van Dijk, the captain and leader of this whole affair, I would look at myself first.
“He always blames someone else while he himself is not blameless regarding that last goal from Japan.”
Newspaper AD was also critical, reporting: “He was sloppy in his passing and somewhat clumsy in defence, when Ueda briefly escaped his attention.”
They did, though, praise his header that required “great technical skill and a huge curve.”
Van Dijk shouldn’t be immune from criticism; he was often under fire at Liverpool this season as they conceded their highest-ever total in a 38-match Premier League era season.
In the Netherlands’ World Cup opener, he was not the reason for the team’s dropped points.
Of course, there was room for improvement, but the 34-year-old has been singled out unfairly on this occasion.