Marciano Vink is shocked by Netherlands Under-21 international: 'He is only half the player I know'

Marciano Vink was hugely disappointed with the Netherlands Under-21s. Michael Reiziger's side had to beat Norway Under-21s last Friday to keep qualification for the European Championship in their own hands, but they could do no better than a 0-0 draw.

Afterwards, Vink said he was "deeply disappointed" on Voetbalpraat on ESPN. "I think that applied to the players as well. You could see that afterwards from the players on the pitch. But it was immediately said that there is still a chance and that they have to go for it."

"But in this match, from minute one, I simply missed the fire. That, for example, you want to bombard a Norway, and immediately put pressure on the ball. I missed that. It was all a bit lethargic. I thought that was a real shame."

"The only ones who, in my view, had real energy were Oufkir and Read. But then I take Poku... That may not be entirely fair, because that boy does not play all that much. But then I think: that is only half the Poku I know. And Smit could not get into the game either. So I miss the fire."

Arno Vermeulen also watched the match. "We are not going to make it any more," he predicted about the Under-21 European Championship.

According to Vermeulen, the Netherlands Under-21s are falling short. "There are players here of whom you can sense that they may perhaps reach the Netherlands. In terms of potential: if you look at Read, Rots, Zechiël and Smit, it would not be strange if they get chances with the Netherlands in the coming years."

"Then this cannot happen. It annoys you no end. It was spineless football. This cannot continue like this. This is not good," Vermeulen concluded.