MX23RW : Friday, January 17 15:03:46| >> :600:1975617:1975617:

Ronald de Boer blames lack of unity for Dutch exit

De Boer blames lack of unity for Dutch exit
© PA Photos
Ronald de Boer says that a lack of unity cost Netherlands their place at Euro 2012.

Former Netherlands international Ronald de Boer has identified a lack of unity as the reason for his country's Euro 2012 exit.

The Dutch lost all three of their first-round matches, ending with a 2-1 defeat to Portugal on Sunday and finished bottom of Group D. De Boer believes that there were too many egos in Bert van Marwijk's side.

"There were too many egos on the pitch, players who had great seasons, Van Persie, Huntelaar and Robben, and overall too many wanted to be the star of this tournament," said De Boer.

"Huntelaar and Van Persie are not only the top-scorers at their clubs, they are both top-scorers in the Premier League and the Bundesliga, but they're not playing well [for the Netherlands].

"Football is still a team sport. You have to do it together and we didn't see unity at this tournament."

De Boer earned 67 caps for the Netherlands.

ID:31409: cacheID:31409:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:1951:
Written by
Matt Cotton
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Bert van Marwijk
Read Next:
Van Marwijk silent on Dutch future
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Arsenal21127241192243
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle21115537221538
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Aston Villa2110563132-135
8Bournemouth219753225734
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2171043229331
10Fulham217953230230
11Brentford218494037328
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd217592629-326
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
15Crystal Palace215972328-524
16Everton203891526-1117
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
18Ipswich TownIpswich2137112037-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2135132346-2314
20Southampton2113171347-346


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!