Van Dijk's fury after Netherlands' defeat to France

Virgil van Dijk is bitter about the Netherlands' 1-2 defeat against France, but is already setting his sights on next Monday. That's when the Dutch team meets Greece, a crucial game in the battle for European Cup qualification. Van Dijk saw many positives in the lost game with the French. "We battled and did well at times. We lose and that is galling, because there was more in it," the captain told NOS. "France can take advantage if you are sloppy. I think everyone did everything they could to get a result. Unfortunately it didn't work out.

The defeat has put Greece over Oranje in the qualifying pool. A win in Athens is needed to retake the second spot and keep qualification in their own hands. "We can get our chests wet. If we want to go to the EC, we have to get a result there," Van Dijk is clear. Captain Virgil van Dijk did not think the Dutch team was hopeless against France on Friday. "You lose, that's a bummer. There was more in it for my feeling, that prevails now," the central defender told NOS after the home defeat in the EC qualification (1-2). France is certain of the EC due to the victory, the Netherlands drops to third place and will fight with number two Greece for the other direct entry ticket.

Kylian Mbappé very quickly opened the scoring for France. That was a big setback for the Netherlands. "We had a plan. When you fall behind early on, it becomes a bit different," Van Dijk spoke. "We battled and played good football at times. But you play against a top nation with top players tonight. If you are then sloppy, France takes advantage of that."

Van Dijk's complaint

The Netherlands' away game against Greece awaits in Athens on Monday. Van Dijk: "We can get our teeth wet. If we want to go to the EC, we will have to get a result there. We are going to do everything possible to achieve that. If we want to go to the EURO'S, we have to get a result vs Greece on Monday. We will give everything. The pitch wasn't very good tonight."