The 1-1 draw between the groups leaves Group A as a three-way bout for the 16 behind Tuesday’s final round of matches.
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Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal was not impressed with his team’s ability to maintain ball ownership as they had to wait for a point against Ecuador.
La Oranje scored early thanks to a shot from PSV Eindhoven striker Cody Gakpo, but it was one of only two shots on target they had in the entire match.
Ecuador, on the other hand, surprised and did have the opportunity to leave tied, since captain Enner Valencia took advantage of a rebound to score his third goal of the tournament at the beginning of the second half.
The South Americans were denied a goal on the verge of half-time and also hit the crossbar just before the hour mark, and Van Gaal conceded the point on the only positive he can take out of the game.
“I don’t think we played a smart game,” the veteran coach said.
“We didn’t play well in possession of the ball, that’s our challenge in the first game. And all the time balls, all the duels were for Ecuador. You can’t win there, I think.
“We are working on (maintaining) the property and we will continue to work on that. Whether we succeed, I guarantee it. But I think so, we have several characteristics in midfield and I can verify them. “
The wise thing is that we play the game and we have a point opposite to a much larger opponent, that’s how I see it.
Asked if his team wanted leaders, Van Gaal added: “I don’t think it’s that easy, we had a lot of other players betting the ball on colour. It is a procedure that we want to locate (the answer) in training.
“We’ve lost sight of the balance here, but we can locate it. The smart thing is that we play the game and we have a point opposite to a much bigger opponent, that’s how I see it.
Ecuadorian coach Gustavo Alfaro inspired with the way his team acquitted.
“We have a leader at Enner Valencia, but the rest of our team is young and lacks experience,” said the Argentine.
“What I told them before the game is that there’s nothing in admitting that we’re not as smart as our opponent. There’s no harm in doing that. We are ready for this adjustment with wonderful confidence. “
“It’s a learning curve, we had to mature. Possibly we would pass, no, but nothing will replace the confidence I have in my players. We’re talking about players with a great career ahead of them. “
The result meant Qatar was eliminated after two matches and joined South Africa in 2010 as the host who failed to qualify for the organising stage.
Tuesday’s final games will now be a three-way war for two spots in the back 16.
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