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Virgil van Dijk insists he is ‘proud’ of the Netherlands’ World Cup performance… after Louis van Gaal’s team were knocked out of the competition on penalties by Argentina
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk says he is proud of what his team achieved at the World Cup after Argentina eliminated them in the quarterfinals on Friday night.
The Dutch lost in a penalty shootout, after coming back from 2-0 down to equalize with the last kick in regulation time.
Van Dijk was first out in the penalty shootout, but Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a brilliant save to deny the Liverpool defender. Argentina went on to win the penalty shootout 4-3.
Virgil van Dijk has insisted he is proud of the Netherlands’ World Cup achievements after a painful penalty shootout.
In what was his first World Cup final, the 31-year-old admitted the heartbreaking result.
“We lost on penalties and that’s what’s hard to accept,” Van Dijk said. It’s like a lottery. Penalties can be practiced, and we did a lot, but he [Martinez] We made two big saves and we’re out.
‘We were confident because we had practiced them. But you can’t replicate a packed stadium with 80,000 people whistling at you and a different goalkeeper, so it’s a lottery and we lost it.
The Netherlands captain became his country’s first penalty taker, but was unable to convert
Emiliano Martínez produced a pair of saves to give Argentina the lead in the penalty shootout
“I was ready for it, but these things happen, you can miss.”
Van Dijk praised his team for their comeback. “We show character,” he said. ‘I’m very proud of everyone.
I am very hurt and I feel that I let my boys down. We are going home and I am very sad about that. Hopefully that sentiment will change in the coming weeks and the feeling of pride will kick in.”