Louis van Gaal has made several changes in the Oranje squad that suffered a shocking UEFA Euro 2012 exit earlier this summer, and the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Strootman-c20775 has admitted that Netherlands are no longer a top team in the World, and has urged his teammates that they must raise their game before the 2014 FIFA World Cup commences in Brazil.
The Flying Dutchmen reached the 2010 World Cup final under the leadership of Bert van Marwijk, but were denied to lift the trophy by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 in the extra-time, with Andres Iniesta netting the winner in the 116th minute.
The Oranje then headed into UEFA Euro 2012 as pre-tournament favourites following their phenomenal results in the qualification campaign. However, the Dutch deceived everyone with their below par displays in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032, and three defeats in a row
against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Portugal-c2984 kicked them out of the competition.
Van Marwijk was dismissed in the aftermath of the European Championship disappointment, and Louis van Gaal was appointed as the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Netherlands-c753 new head coach.
The former Ajax and Bayern Munich boss made several changes to the Oranje squad, bringing in youngsters to replace the veterans, and Strootman has expressed confidence that the Flying Dutchmen will be called a top team once again in the coming years.
“We all know that Oranje were a great team at the World Cup. However, some of the players who were among the European top are no longer with the team. We have some players who are on the rise, but who aren't there just yet. However, we shouldn't exaggerate
things too much. The guys who are among the experienced players now were not stars yet four years ago, either”, Strootman was quoted as saying to De Telegraaf.
The PSV star midfielder went on to urge his teammates that they should put in their 100 percent to reach their best until the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks-off.
“We can make up for this loss in quality by playing with our heart. We have two more years until the World Cup. We have to be at our best by then”, Strootman concluded.
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