Dutch coach directs players to fake pain at World Cup

In the 70th minute, when the Netherlands was leading Portugal 1-0 at Forsyth Barr, coach Jonker repeatedly asked Danielle van de Donk to "sit down". The midfielder, who plays for Lyon, responded that he should let goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar do it, but in the end he still listened to the coach. She sat down on the field and signaled the pain in her calf. The incident was recorded by cameras and microphones attached to the yard.

The match was then paused to allow medical staff to take care of Donk. Meanwhile, coach Jonker has time to direct tactics for other players. Coach Jonker's actions quickly spread and received much criticism on social networks and foreign press.

Fox Sports described it as "a scam caught on camera". Meanwhile, the British newspaper The Guardian commented: "What the Netherlands needs to change is a lack of confidence, rather than any tactical problems."

"Jonker's actions are not unusual in professional football," Australia's News newspaper said. "But the brazen nature captured directly by sight and sound is particularly unique."

Before the tournament, the Netherlands was also entangled in negative information such as the fact that the clubs did not release their troops on time, affecting the training plan. When they went to New Zealand, the team criticized the poor ground conditions of the host country, which is often used for the number one sport here, rugby.

The Netherlands won 1-0 against Portugal thanks to the only goal of defender Stefanie van der Gragt. The defending runner-up is second in Group E with three points, equal to the US but less than the goal difference. However, beating Portugal gives the Netherlands a great chance to qualify for the group stage. In the second match, the Netherlands met the US, recreating the 2019 World Cup final. They met Vietnam in the last round on August 1.

"We do not underestimate Vietnam but respect them," Jonker said at the press conference after the victory over Portugal. "We are not afraid of the US either, but the game against Portugal is the most important and what happened proved to be a difficult opponent to play."