MX23RW : Friday, November 22 06:28:04| >> :600:122353:122353:

Nigel De Jong: We must beat Portugal

De Jong: We must beat Portugal
© PA Photos
Nigel De Jong insists that Netherlands must seize the opportunity to escape Group B.

Manchester City and Netherlands midfielder Nigel De Jong is thankful that qualification is still achievable, and insists the Oranje must "seize the opportunity" to progress in Euro 2012.

Group B, dubbed the 'group of death' is living up to its name, with all four teams still able to qualify on the final day. Two defeats in two for the Netherlands mean that they must beat Portugal and rely on Germany beating Denmark.

"This situation is a bit odd, three teams could finish with three points, and we might qualify with that," De Jong told Goal.com. "It was not what we expected, but we must seize the opportunity.

"Portugal are a good team, of course, with good players, especially in attack. But I think we are better, and that it's time to prove it because we have not done so in this tournament."

"I'm sure we will beat Portugal, but obviously we have to wait for Germany to win, which is a bit uncomfortable, really."

Should Joachim Low's side play out a draw with Denmark, then the Netherlands will be making an early return home from Euro 2012.

ID:30852: cacheID:30852:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2309:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Joachim Loew
Read Next:
Low aims for top spot in group
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Steelers
@
Browns
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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!