NETHERLANDS-CÔTE D'IVOIRE: Coaches' Quotes

16 June 2006

Marco VAN BASTEN (NED)
We're delighted we've made it through to the last 16. It's an incredibly tough group and we have a very young team. Any of the teams could have made it, but we're just overjoyed about getting through. A lot of my players are contesting their first World Cup. We were very good for the first half-hour and created any number of chances, but we eased off after Côte d'Ivoire scored their goal. After that, we all saw how good they are if you let them play. In fact, they were so good in the second half, we had no option but to defend. You have to say we still have a lot of work to do, but the first job is to go out and beat Argentina.

Henri MICHEL (CIV)
Obviously we're disappointed. We always knew it would be tough, but we hoped to get something from the game. The pattern's basically been the same in both our matches. We've been forced to chase a two-goal deficit, because on both occasions we've been unable to contain our opponents. It's always going to be difficult turning it around against class sides like these. And when you're at the World Cup, you've got to make more of the chances that come your way. We have to accept we're not yet where we want to be. This is a new team with no experience of the World Cup, but I do believe we can cope with the pressure. We simply lack experience. It's possible we were too nervous, that's something we'll have to sit down and analyse.