The Manchester City midfielder has not ruled out his side’s chances of progressing through to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals, and has expressed confidence that his side will beat http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paulo-c29431 Bento’s men in their final group game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753’ final Group B game against Portugal in Euro 2012, and has insisted that the Oranje are a far superior side than A Seleccao.
The Oranje, who started the competition as one of the favourite sides to achieve European glory, have stunned everyone with their erratic showings in their opening two games.
Bert van Marwijk’s side endured a shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Germany-c2904 on June 13.
Despite suffering back-to-back defeats, the Flying Dutchmen still have a slim possibility of making progression to European Championship quarter-finals if they manage to beat the Portuguese with a two-goal margin while the Germans claim a victory over the
Danish Dynamite in their respective match.
De Jong, who has thus far represented the Oranje in 62 matches, has admitted that the situation is a bit strange, but has urged his side to seize the given opportunity.
“This situation is a bit odd, three teams could finish with three points, and we might qualify with that. It was not what we expected, but we must seize the opportunity”, the defensive midfielder was quoted as saying to Goal.com.
The 27-year-old went on to confess that A Seleccao are a good unit, but his side is far superior, though, they have yet to perform at their best.
“http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Portugal-c2984 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”, de Jong added.
The former Ajax Amsterdam midfielder has also admitted that the Oranje’s current situation is a bit uneasy, given the fact that a stalemate between the Germans and the Danes would see his side bow out of the competition.
“It is not up to us what the outcome will be. I'm sure we will beat Portugal, but obviously we have to wait for Germany to win, which is a bit uncomfortable, really”, De Jong concluded.
Netherlands will take on Portugal on June 17.
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