Netherlands boss left fuming as World Cup game delayed by 'unacceptable' error
Article excerpt
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman was left fuming after halftime in their FIFA World Cup group game against Tunisia, as the referee was forced to delay kickoff
Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman was not impressed when the second half of their game against Tunisia had to be delayed -Credit:ANP, ANP via Getty Images
The Netherlands' FIFA World Cup match against Tunisia had to be stopped at the beginning of the second half due to an insufficient number of players on the field. Ronald Koeman's team, up 2-0 at halftime, returned to the pitch for the restart, with Tunisia's squad following behind.
However, as the countdown to kickoff began, it became apparent that Herve Renard's team had only 10 players on the field. Tunisia's players quickly alerted referee Katia Garcia, who was preparing to blow her whistle, that they were still awaiting Ellyes Skhiri's arrival.
Skhiri finally entered the field, but by that point, the countdown had already finished, and play had to be suspended once the referee recognized the situation. Dutch head coach Koeman was livid about the holdup on the touchline and expressed his frustration to fourth official Juan Gabriel Benítez and the Tunisia bench, as per The Mirror.
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Meanwhile, BBC commentator Steve Wilson said: "We have to pause, Tunisia are a man light, so the countdown was a bit early. And the Tunisia player at the back was desperately trying to draw the referee's attention to the fact they only had 10 players out there. In fact, they still only have 10 players out there, they are one short."
To which Stephen Warnock, on co-commentary duty, said: "How?!" Wilson then responded: "I don't know."
Before ex-Liverpool defender Warnock continued: "It's incredible. You know that the clock is going down and you've got to be out quicker. Ronald Koeman is furious and rightly so, he's saying, "How is this happening? It's unacceptable."
Wilson then said, prior to the game getting back underway: "They only have 10 players out there. Here he is, Skhiri. Better late than never."
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The Netherlands grabbed the opener when Skhiri turned the ball into his own net, with Brian Brobbey doubling the advantage just seven minutes in. While Hazem Mastouri pulled one back for Renard's squad nine minutes after the break, Jan Paul van Hecke re-established the Dutch's two-goal cushion eight minutes later.
Koeman's side has been clinical in attack throughout the tournament, cementing their status as early dark horses on the back of a string of impressive displays.
The 3-1 win against Tunisia sealed their position as Group F winners on seven points, having netted 10 goals across their three group stage outings, including a commanding 5-1 demolition of Sweden. Koeman's side will now face Morocco, who claimed second place in Group C, in the Round of 32 on Tuesday.