Cody Gakpo is looking to become the Netherlands’s first-choice center-forward at this week’s UEFA Nations League finals. Originally a left-winger, the 24-year-old player has been adapting to this role since joining Liverpool in January from PSV Eindhoven.

“Now that I’m playing at Liverpool I think it’s a nice position,” Gakpo told reporters on Sunday as the Netherlands prepares for the tournament. With Memphis Depay unavailable through injury, Gakpo is now in a prime position to lead the Dutch attack.

Gakpo went on to admit that several coaches had previously tried to convince him to switch from the wing to striker; a change that he resisted. During his interview, Gakpo said he has grown fond of his new position.

According to the player, Guus Hiddink was the first coach to recommend the change, telling Gakpo to become either a striker or a false number 9. During his time at PSV, Gakpo was given the same advice by Roger Schmidt.

While Gakpo completed his shift to the center during his time at Liverpool, it was during the 2022 World Cup that he began his transition.

The Netherlands is set to face Croatia on Wednesday, with Spain and Italy competing in the other semi-final. Both the game for 3rd place and the final are set to be played on Sunday.

The post Cody Gakpo to Step Up for Netherlands in Nations League Finals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

With Ronald Koeman ready to step down as the Netherlands boss to take over Barcelona, rumors surfaced that former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is interested in taking over the Dutch national team. But according to Wenger himself, there is no truth in those reports.

Speaking with De Telegraaf on Wednesday, Wenger denied he has any talks about the Netherlands’ job or that he offered his services to the Dutch federation as it was earlier reported.

“That is a lie. I have not offered my services to anyone,” said Wenger. “I am the only one who talks about my own future.”

Wenger has been out of a job since leaving Arsenal in 2018 and now works as chief of global football development for FIFA. The 70-year-old manager was linked with several high-profile job openings in the past but hadn’t been actively pursuing a return to management.

The Netherlands’ national team has a talented squad, highlighted by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, and Lyon’s Memphis Depay, which has been poised for great future on the international scene. Under Koeman, Dutch side qualified for the Euro 2021 with six wins and only one defeat in their group. They also finished as runners-up in the inaugural UEFA Nations League competition.

The post Arsene Wenger Dismisses Speculations about Netherlands Job appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The first International break of the new season delivered a surprising win for The Netherlands in Hamburg over the 2014 World Cup champions Germany. At the sold-out Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany scored first after a counter-attack, when the ball was reflected to Bayern’s winger Serge Gnabry in the 9^th minute – and that was the only thing that Germany did this match! 

The Netherlanders pushed the Germans into their own half at the start of the 2^nd period and they managed to level the score in the 59^th minute through Barcelona’s new star Frenkie De Jong. He managed to ditch Germany’s defenders and ended up alone against Manuel Neuer, scoring from 6 yards away. 

In the 66^th minute, Jonathan Tah scored an own goal after a sharp Netherlands corner kick, which Neuer managed to defend but the ball was reflected from Tah’s foot and still ended behind the goalkeeper. Some minutes later, Matthijs De Ligt touched the ball with his hand in the penalty box. Although he claimed that the handball was not intentional, the decision stayed the same.  

Toni Kroos leveled the score to 2-2, but 7 minutes later the Netherlands had the lead again through Donyell Malen. Georgino Wijnaldum finished the job in the 91^st minute, making it 4:2 for the Netherlands. 

The post Netherlands Beats Germany in Hamburg With a Fantastic Turnaround appeared first on SportzBonanza.

In a fitting turn of events, the Portuguese national men’s soccer team won the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament with a 1-0 win over the Netherlands on Sunday evening.

Why was this a fitting result? Well, in addition to being the reigning champions of the Euro Cup, Portugal also hosted the tournament and won the final at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto.

The win gives the Portuguese team a second trophy in only 4 years after they won the Euros in 2016.

Portugal controlled their matchup against the Dutch on Sunday, creating endless opportunities and shots on goal. The Dutch, despite holding the ball for more time, found it difficult to find open space due to Portugal’s tough defense.

Portugal’s goal finally came in the 60th minute when Valencia winger Gonçalo Guedes found the net and beat Jasper Cillessen after a rocket-like strike. He was assisted on the goal by Bernardo Silva, who turned in a masterful performance for the Portuguese.

Portugal will forever be known as the first-ever winners of this new UEFA tournament. Now, the national team and its star players will enjoy the fruits of their victory and turn their focus towards Euro qualifying for the next tournament, which will take place next summer.

The post Portugal Beats Netherlands 1-0 to Win UEFA Nations League appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Cody Gakpo is looking to become the Netherlands’s first-choice center-forward at this week’s UEFA Nations League finals. Originally a left-winger, the 24-year-old player has been adapting to this role since joining Liverpool in January from PSV Eindhoven.

“Now that I’m playing at Liverpool I think it’s a nice position,” Gakpo told reporters on Sunday as the Netherlands prepares for the tournament. With Memphis Depay unavailable through injury, Gakpo is now in a prime position to lead the Dutch attack.

Gakpo went on to admit that several coaches had previously tried to convince him to switch from the wing to striker; a change that he resisted. During his interview, Gakpo said he has grown fond of his new position.

According to the player, Guus Hiddink was the first coach to recommend the change, telling Gakpo to become either a striker or a false number 9. During his time at PSV, Gakpo was given the same advice by Roger Schmidt.

While Gakpo completed his shift to the center during his time at Liverpool, it was during the 2022 World Cup that he began his transition.

The Netherlands is set to face Croatia on Wednesday, with Spain and Italy competing in the other semi-final. Both the game for 3rd place and the final are set to be played on Sunday.

The post Cody Gakpo to Step Up for Netherlands in Nations League Finals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

With Ronald Koeman ready to step down as the Netherlands boss to take over Barcelona, rumors surfaced that former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is interested in taking over the Dutch national team. But according to Wenger himself, there is no truth in those reports.

Speaking with De Telegraaf on Wednesday, Wenger denied he has any talks about the Netherlands’ job or that he offered his services to the Dutch federation as it was earlier reported.

“That is a lie. I have not offered my services to anyone,” said Wenger. “I am the only one who talks about my own future.”

Wenger has been out of a job since leaving Arsenal in 2018 and now works as chief of global football development for FIFA. The 70-year-old manager was linked with several high-profile job openings in the past but hadn’t been actively pursuing a return to management.

The Netherlands’ national team has a talented squad, highlighted by Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, and Lyon’s Memphis Depay, which has been poised for great future on the international scene. Under Koeman, Dutch side qualified for the Euro 2021 with six wins and only one defeat in their group. They also finished as runners-up in the inaugural UEFA Nations League competition.

The post Arsene Wenger Dismisses Speculations about Netherlands Job appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The first International break of the new season delivered a surprising win for The Netherlands in Hamburg over the 2014 World Cup champions Germany. At the sold-out Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany scored first after a counter-attack, when the ball was reflected to Bayern’s winger Serge Gnabry in the 9^th minute – and that was the only thing that Germany did this match! 

The Netherlanders pushed the Germans into their own half at the start of the 2^nd period and they managed to level the score in the 59^th minute through Barcelona’s new star Frenkie De Jong. He managed to ditch Germany’s defenders and ended up alone against Manuel Neuer, scoring from 6 yards away. 

In the 66^th minute, Jonathan Tah scored an own goal after a sharp Netherlands corner kick, which Neuer managed to defend but the ball was reflected from Tah’s foot and still ended behind the goalkeeper. Some minutes later, Matthijs De Ligt touched the ball with his hand in the penalty box. Although he claimed that the handball was not intentional, the decision stayed the same.  

Toni Kroos leveled the score to 2-2, but 7 minutes later the Netherlands had the lead again through Donyell Malen. Georgino Wijnaldum finished the job in the 91^st minute, making it 4:2 for the Netherlands. 

The post Netherlands Beats Germany in Hamburg With a Fantastic Turnaround appeared first on SportzBonanza.

In a fitting turn of events, the Portuguese national men’s soccer team won the inaugural UEFA Nations League tournament with a 1-0 win over the Netherlands on Sunday evening.

Why was this a fitting result? Well, in addition to being the reigning champions of the Euro Cup, Portugal also hosted the tournament and won the final at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto.

The win gives the Portuguese team a second trophy in only 4 years after they won the Euros in 2016.

Portugal controlled their matchup against the Dutch on Sunday, creating endless opportunities and shots on goal. The Dutch, despite holding the ball for more time, found it difficult to find open space due to Portugal’s tough defense.

Portugal’s goal finally came in the 60th minute when Valencia winger Gonçalo Guedes found the net and beat Jasper Cillessen after a rocket-like strike. He was assisted on the goal by Bernardo Silva, who turned in a masterful performance for the Portuguese.

Portugal will forever be known as the first-ever winners of this new UEFA tournament. Now, the national team and its star players will enjoy the fruits of their victory and turn their focus towards Euro qualifying for the next tournament, which will take place next summer.

The post Portugal Beats Netherlands 1-0 to Win UEFA Nations League appeared first on SportzBonanza.