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Dutch coach Marco van Basten proud of team's performance
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09:39, June 18, 2008

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· EURO 2008
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Dutch coach Marco van Basten paid tribute to his team for the emphatic manner which brings them three wins out of three matches in the Group of Death at Euro 2008.

The Dutch team scored nine goals in their three group wins, including a 2-0 victory over Romania by a second-string line-up.

"It is great for us because we played well once again," van Basten said after the win over Romania.

"We have had three excellent matches with different players. I'm very pleased with the whole squad."

He added: "We played a good game. We started poorly - maybe because the pitch was a little bit wet.

"After a difficult 20-25 minutes, we came into the game, played better and better and created a lot of chances.

"In the beginning it was the 'Group of Death', so nine points and nine goals - we can be very happy about that."

Robin van Persie, who scored the second goal in Tuesday's game, was keen to stress he was not playing with the Dutch reserves.

"This result says a lot. This is not a 'B' team," he said.

"We have one group, 23 players. We are as good as equals."

Romanian coach Victor Piturca accepted the fact that his team had lost to the better team after the 2-0 defeat.

"It's a pity because we had a chance, we just couldn't take advantage of it," said Piturca, whose side could have reached the quarter-finals with a win.

"The fact of the matter is we lost to a better team.

"The pressure on our team was extreme. After Italy went ahead against France, it raised the pressure even further."

If Romania beat the Netherlands on Tuesday, it will qualify for the quarterfinals at the expense of world champions Italy and World Cup runners-up France.

Source:Xinhua



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