{"id":12458,"date":"2026-06-27T11:32:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T10:32:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tanja7.com\/en\/?p=12458"},"modified":"2026-06-27T11:32:39","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T10:32:39","slug":"2026-world-cup-ronald-koeman-believes-netherlands-will-be-underdogs-facing-morocco-in-round-of-32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tanja7.com\/en\/12458","title":{"rendered":"2026 World Cup: Ronald Koeman Believes Netherlands Will Be Underdogs Facing Morocco in Round of 32"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands manager, kicked off the psychological tactics early as his team gears up for a crucial last-32 matchup against Morocco in the 2026 World Cup. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Dutch secured first place in Group F<\/a> with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday night in Kansas City. This means they will face Morocco, the runners-up from Group C, in a knockout match in Mexico. <\/span><\/p>\n

Koeman aimed to apply pressure on the North Africans<\/a> by stating that his team would enter as the underdogs next Tuesday at the Monterrey Stadium. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’m uncertain if we’re the favorites against Morocco,\u201d Koeman mentioned to reporters after the Tunisia match.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe must prepare adequately for Morocco, as it will be a significant match. They are a strong team with great quality and the ability to score.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At 63, Koeman downplayed inquiries about goals extending beyond the last 32, asserting: \u201cI don’t believe we are in a position to think about that just yet. We’re heading towards our genuine test, and that’s our focus.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brobbey scores again<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Netherlands maintains a perfect record<\/a> thus far, following a comfortable 3-1 win over Tunisia in Kansas City.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Dutch came out aggressively, securing a 2-0 lead within the first seven minutes. They opened the scoring in the third minute due to an own goal by Ellyes Skhiri, who inadvertently redirected a cross into his own net.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian Brobbey extended the lead shortly after, converting a headed pass from Virgil van Dijk following a free-kick. The Dutch seemed in control of the game until they were jolted awake in the second half by a Tunisia corner that found Hazem Mastouri, who headed the ball into the bottom-left corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Netherlands quickly responded, with Jan Paul van Hecke heading in to restore their lead.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Tunisia had some intermittent chances, they couldn\u2019t trouble the Dutch defenders further as they exited without any points, while the Oranje advanced to the last 32.<\/span><\/p>\n

Japan prepares for Brazil showdown<\/b><\/h2>\n

Though Brazil is considered World Cup royalty, Japan won\u2019t be an easy opponent when the two teams meet in Houston on June 29 for a last-32 encounter, stated coach Hajime Moriyasu after their team finished as Group F runners-up.<\/span><\/p>\n

Japan settled for a 1-1 draw against Sweden on Thursday night, finishing second to the Netherlands in their qualifying group. Daizen Maeda netted first, but Anthony Elanga equalized for Sweden.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moriyasu highlighted a 3-2 comeback victory over Brazil<\/a> in Tokyo last October as evidence that his team can pull off an upset.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn our previous encounter, we demonstrated to Brazil that we are not to be underestimated,\u201d said Moriyasu. \u201cThat marks significant progress for us. Brazil is a top-tier team, and we hold them in high regard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnything can happen in our match. We\u2019ll also have a chance to win.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sweden qualified as the best third-placed team. Their last-32 opponent is still unknown, but currently, they are set to face France on Tuesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Highlights from the 2026 World Cup – in photos<\/b><\/h3>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands manager, kicked off the psychological tactics early as his team gears up for a crucial last-32 matchup against Morocco in the 2026 World Cup. The Dutch secured first place in Group F with a 3-1 victory over Tunisia on Thursday night in Kansas City. This means they will face Morocco, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12459,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[111],"tags":[118,115,121,117,122,119,116,120,114],"tmauthors":[112],"class_list":["post-12458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-believes","tag-cup","tag-facing","tag-koeman","tag-morocco","tag-netherlands","tag-ronald","tag-underdogs","tag-world"],"yoast_head":"\n2026 World Cup: Ronald Koeman Believes Netherlands Will Be Underdogs Facing Morocco in Round of 32 - Tanja7 English<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tanja7.com\/en\/12458\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"2026 World Cup: Ronald Koeman Believes Netherlands Will Be Underdogs Facing Morocco in Round of 32 - Tanja7 English\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Ronald Koeman, the Netherlands manager, kicked off the psychological tactics early as his team gears up for a crucial last-32 matchup against Morocco in the 2026 World Cup. 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