Advocaat faces flak over Robben substitution

Dutch coach Dick Advocaat's decision to take off winger Arjen Robben after an hour of Saturday's incredible 3-2 defeat by the Czech Republic may come back to haunt him.

The exciting 20-year-old winger created both goals as the Netherlands stormed into a 2-0 lead after just 19 minutes, and he was the main inspiration in a vibrant Dutch performance.

When Advocaat took Robben off with his team 2-1 ahead and sent on defensive midfielder Paul Bosvelt, boos chorused around the thousands of Dutch fans in the Municipal stadium.

They were quite obviously directed at Advocaat, while Robben received a standing ovation as he walked slowly towards the dug-out. The Czechs probably breathed a sigh of relief.

From that moment they sensed victory and goals from Milan Baros and Vladimir Smicer left Advocaat once again defending his tactics.

"Robben did not play for three months and we didn't expect him to hold out much longer," said Advocaat, who came in for a barrage of criticism during a qualifying campaign that included an away defeat by the Czechs.

"I substituted Robben because I wanted more grip on the midfield. Now everyone is talking about my substitution that didn't work out but no one is talking about all the chances that we missed," he added.

"The critics will put everything on the change for Robben, they can do that."

After watching the match, Dutch great Johan Cruyff said he could not understand the Robben substitution.

"It's a shame that Robben had to leave the pitch," he said. "I didn't know if he had some injury, but when I saw his face I don't think so. He played like a train and the Czechs respected him."

Robben himself did his best to be diplomatic.

"We were 2-0 up and we should never give away this advantage at this level," he said.

"It was a disappointment for me about the substitution because I felt good. But it's the coach's choice and you have to accept it. Now we have to win against Latvia or we will be going home early."

Dutch unhappy

Advocaat is unhappy about the Czech decision to field a weakened team in their final Group D game against Germany.

"For sure it is not to our advantage but they still have some good squad players," Advocaat said.

Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy said: "Their (Czech) reserve players are fit and they will want to prove something. We should focus on Latvia. We will have to play that match and afterwards we will find out where we stand."