Football / World Cup USA '94: Advocaat seeks killer instinct

Tuesday 28 June 1994 23:02 BST
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THE DEFEAT by Belgium has concentrated the minds of the Dutch squad, who know that they cannot afford to lose their final match, against Morocco, in Orlando today.

'We are in a situation in which it is final. If we lose we have to go home,' Ronald Koeman said. 'We were expecting a lot against Belgium. We were much better than in the game against the Saudis, but things went wrong which weren't supposed to go wrong. We had a lot of chances against Belgium but we didn't finish them.'

His sentiments were echoed by the Dutch coach, Dick Advocaat, who said: 'I expect only one thing - that we win. That's the only thing that counts. The result against Belgium means we must win this game.

'We are used to this situation. In the qualifiers we had to win our last three matches. In view of that, the prospects are good. I expect us to beat Morocco.

'Given the chances we had we should not have lost to Belgium. But we will have to be a lot sharper in front of goal against Morocco.'

Advocaat may play a formation along the lines of the one used in the second half against Belgium, when Rob Witschge replaced Ronald de Boer.

However, Dennis Bergkamp has been ordered, against his will, to lead the attack. Bergkamp is not keen on playing in attack because he believes it limits his play, but he may have to back down to accommodate the needs of the team. A worried Advocaat has had a heart-to-heart talk with his captain, who has failed to find his best form in the first two matches.

'Bergkamp is one of the most consistent players we have and it is surprising he has had some trouble in this tournament.' Advocaat said.

Morocco know they have little chance of reaching the second round, although they have not given up hope. 'If we win we have a chance,' their coach, Abdellah Ajri, said.

Morocco will be without Nourredine Naybet, who collected his second booking against Saudi Arabia. There is also speculation that their reserve goalkeeper, Zakaria Alaoui, may take over from Khalil Azmi.

NETHERLANDS (probable): de Goey (Feyenoord); Valckx (Sporting Lisbon), Koeman (Barcelona), F de Boer, Rijkaard, (both Ajax), Jonk (Internazionale), Witschge (Feyenoord), Wouters (PSV Eindhoven), Taument (Feyenoord), Bergkamp (Internazionale), Roy (Foggia).

MOROCCO (probable): Azmi (Raja Casablanca) or Alaoui (KAC Marrakesh); Nacer (Waregem), Triki (Chateauroux), Neqrouz (MC Oudja) or Mesbahi (KAC Marrakesh), El Hadrioui (FAR Rabat), Hadji (Nancy), Azzouzi (MSV Duisburg), Hababi (Olympic Khouribga), Daoudi (Wydad Casablanca), Chaouch (Nice), Bahja (KAC Marrakesh).

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