Gakpo brace rescues Netherlands as World Cup countdown enters final week

Gakpo brace gets it done

Cody Gakpo scored twice as the Netherlands beat Uzbekistan 2–1 in the final World Cup warm-up match at Icahn Stadium on Monday (2) (11). It was far from convincing. The team labored against a limited opponent and needed Gakpo's finishing to avoid what would have been an embarrassing result (9) (12). Captain Virgil van Dijk kept it simple after the match: "That feels good" (11).

Reserves stumble overnight

The B-team didn't fare as well. A reserve Oranje side lost 2–1 to Uzbekistan's second-string team in a training match played Monday night Dutch time (1) (7). Not the momentum you want five days out from the World Cup opener.

Right flank still a question mark

Crysencio Summerville got another audition on the right wing, but the debate isn't settled. Pierre van Hooijdonk now suggests Ronald Koeman could pick Teun Koopmeiners on that side when the tournament kicks off against Japan (8). Summerville is the latest of nine different partners Denzel Dumfries has had on the right. Koeman still searching.

Verbruggen injury, Malen worry

Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen picked up an injury during the Uzbekistan match, adding concern ahead of the Japan game (10). Meanwhile, Valentijn Driessen flagged Donyell Malen's form as "a growing problem" after another quiet outing (10).

Koeman's future: not decided

Ronald Koeman's agent Rob Jansen says it is "not a foregone conclusion" that the coach leaves after this World Cup (4). The expectation had been that Koeman would step aside post-tournament. That now appears less certain.

World Cup starts in 5 days

The Netherlands open their campaign against Japan on June 14 (3). That's five days. Koeman has said the starting eleven against Uzbekistan will "almost certainly" be the same team that begins the tournament. Injuries and the right-wing puzzle are the remaining loose ends.

Pundits not buying it

Kenneth Perez wasn't impressed: "In practice it's all very underwhelming" (6). The friendly performances against Algeria and Uzbekistan haven't convinced. The headline from one outlet captured the mood: "You can't possibly still be positive about Oranje" (5). The win buys time. The doubts haven't gone anywhere.