Dutch coach Advocaat hits out at critics

Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat, who has steered his troubled team to a Euro 2004 semi-final against hosts Portugal, has hit out at the pundits who criticised him on several Dutch television shows.

His decision to replace lively winger Arjen Robben with defensive midfielder Paul Bosvelt against the Czech Republic was the main talking point after the Dutch went from 2-1 up to lose 3-2 and Advocaat's standing among the public hit rock bottom.

But this week he condemned the level of criticism aimed at his tactics during the Netherlands' second group match.

"I know that in my job there always is criticism and I accept that," a clearly emotional Advocaat told reporters. "But some people violated every rule of decent behaviour without realising what their pronouncements meant to the people back home.

"This goes against the way I was raised."

Advocaat refused to look any further than this tournament regarding his future as coach but, while his contract runs until the 2006 World Cup, he is expected to quit after this campaign.

Advocaat has one major injury problem ahead of today's semi-final showdown against Portugal in Lisbon with skipper Frank de Boer unavailable with an ankle injury and probably out of action for the rest of the tournament.

Advocaat has three options to replace De Boer, who has won a record 112 caps for his country. He could pull midfielder Philip Cocu back into central defence, use Wilfred Bouma again or bring in Johnny Heitinga to play alongside Jaap Stam.

Advocaat explained, however, that he prefers a left-footer alongside the right-footed Stam, which seems to favour Bouma. But Heitinga told reporters: "I played a whole season as a central defender so it's logical that position suits me better. In my opinion, this team can play with two right-footed central defenders but it will be the coach's decision."

Advocaat said his players are determined to do well at this tournament since almost the entire squad was written off two years ago when they surprisingly failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in South Korea and Japan.

"But reaching the semi-final is not enough for them," said Advocaat. "They have reached that stage twice already and now they want more."

The Dutch lost 3-1 to Italy on penalties in the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and were defeated 5-4 by Denmark after a shoot-out at the same stage of the Euro 92 tournament.

The players and Advocaat reacted very openly to the question of whether they preferred Portugal with or without Luis Figo.

"Honestly, I prefer them without Figo," said Advocaat. "Then Simao will start and he is quicker but Figo is unpredictable and he can also have his moment to decide a match.

"It will be completely different to the Sweden match. Portugal are a team that prefer combination football and that will give us the opportunity to play our game."