The Netherlands face Belarus at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam on Friday and they really need to get a win. Bulgaria are currently leading the group on three points, and whilst drawing 1-1 with Sweden wasn’t the worst result for the Dutch, they’ve also got France in their group.
Beating Belarus at home is pretty much a must, especially with the added pressure built up after the country failed to qualify for Euro 2016. Anything less than the full points will see all the doubts, and more, resurface.
No pressure then.
Tottenham’s Vincent Janssen will be under pressure to hit the back of the net should he start, which he’s probably expected to at this stage. Janssen has been speaking to the Dutch media all week, and after fighting his way through questions about his Tottenham career to date, the questions are now focusing on the match.
Quoted by Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Janssen explained: “Of course we want to win with good football. Everyone wants to play good football and grab three points. But ultimately, the victory is the most important thing. It just has to happen. If you look at the squad how it is now, there is enough quality in there.”
Belarus managed to draw their last match with France, 0-0, so they’re not to be taken lightly. Janssen is determined to give everything he has and spoke about football in a way that will please Tottenham fans: “Our focus is now only on Belarus, because that’s a tough opponent, and also France has experienced that with a 0-0 draw.
“After Belarus we then switch the button to France. I’m not afraid of France, you know. Of course, the French have a fantastic squad and they lost the European Championship final.
“Football is ninety minutes long going full throttle, giving everything. If we do that, we can get two very good results.”
If the Netherlands did managed that, then the outlook would be much brighter indeed, and the boost may well benefit Janssen at Tottenham.
