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Davids affected by Cruyff's criticism |
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June 24, 2000
Cruyff, one of the squad's many critics, had spent Wednesday night disparaging the Oranje side on national television during the Netherlands' 3-2 win over France's so-called B-team.
The former international had applauded the Netherlands' defense, but had said the team's stars were "poor," singling out Davids in particular for badgering the referee.
"He showed he was good in the second half with his chasing but why can't he keep his mouth shut?" Cruyff had said.
Davids, who admitted being slightly peeved, accused Cruyff of forming an opinion without knowing the full story.
"Of course it affects you," Davids said. "I can't say I didn't respond to that.
"But he doesn't know the whole situation. He's not there. He doesn't know what the manager tells us to do and what we talk about prior to game. If that's what he thinks, then fine, but he doesn't have the complete story."
With the maximum nine points and the highest goals tally with Portugal at seven goals, an incensed Dutch team has lashed back at media and critics professionals for their constant fault-finding.
But after angrily blasting skeptics, the team is slowly admitting they could actually learn from some of that criticism.
"Johan Cruyff is one of those people with his own story every time," said an exasperated coach Frank Rijkaard. "And there are media who always know better and are real 'experts' at soccer.
"But of course, Johan Cruyff is a different story than the media. And I think we have to use his criticism in the best possible way. We can make use of it for our game against Yugoslavia."
Even Davids agreed to that, albeit reluctantly.
"The whole idea is what you do with it," Davids conceded. "Try to turn it to your advantage and use it. That's what I'm doing, that's what we're all doing." |