Netherlands manager Danny Blind insists his side weren’t affected by tributes to Holland legend during their 2-3 loss to France in international friendly
Amsterdam: Holland coach Danny Blind denied his side were affected by the emotion of their farewell to Johan Cruyff as they lost 3-2 to France.
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A large banner is displayed in honour of late Dutch legend Johan Cruyff during a tribute in the 14th minute of the friendly match between the Netherlands and France at Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam on Friday. pic/AFP
The teams and the Amsterdam Arena crowd shared in a minute’s silence before kick-off for the victims of this week’s terror attack in Brussels and then, 14 minutes into the game, a minute’s applause for Cruyff — Holland’s former number 14, who died from cancer aged 68.
Danny Blind
Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud’s goal had France 2-0 up. Luuk de Jong and Ibrahim Afellay made it 2-2. But Blaise Matuidi ensured France would claim victory. “I’m not going to blame that. Once the whistle goes, you have to be ready like a pro. We were unfortunate with the first goal. The second goal, we did not do well.
“I can live with a defeat, because in many facets of the game they are beyond us. But it’s disappointing that we could not get the 2-2 draw, though that would not have been deserved.”
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