A Virgil van Dijk goal against Japan helped the Netherlands draw the match 2-2. The Dutch thus started their World Cup campaign on a decent note; however, they would surely have preferred to win the match.
Still, the Virgil van Dijk goal once again underlined his importance to his national team. The Liverpool defender, who turns 35 next month, is the Dutch captain and keeps contributing to his team’s cause in more ways than one.
Virgil Van Dijk Goal Against Japan: An Ever-Important Goal For The Netherlands
The Virgil Van Dijk goal against Japan moves him onto 13 goals in 93 international caps for the Netherlands, which puts him only one behind Ronald Koeman’s tally for the national team.
Koeman, who was a defender with exceptional free-kick taking ability and is the current manager of the Dutch national team, has 14 goals in 78 matches, and no Dutch defender has scored more goals at international level than the former Barcelona defender.
Van Dijk’s aerial presence from set-pieces is absolutely lethal, with his tall frame and great leap allowing him to be an asset in both boxes.
The Virgil Van Dijk goal against Japan was another header, as it drew first blood for his country in the match. He continues to have a huge presence, both literally and figuratively, inside the opposition penalty box, especially from set-pieces.
The Liverpool centre-back is probably the most important player in his country’s set-up, as the ongoing World Cup is his third and might very well be his last as a player. Van Dijk has scored 36 goals in 374 matches for Liverpool so far, and a lion’s share of those goals have come through headers.
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Virgil Van Dijk Goal Against Japan: The Backbone To The Dutch Defence
The Virgil van Dijk goal against Japan was all fine, but the big man will be needed more in his team’s defence if they are to make it to the semi-finals or beyond. The Oranje last reached the last four of the World Cup in 1998, when they lost to Brazil on penalties.
If they are to repeat the act or go beyond, they will need Van Dijk to be at his reliable best. The Netherlands have Sweden and Tunisia in their group in this World Cup, both of whom are quite decent teams.
The fact that Japan managed to equalise twice in the match will keep Koeman worried, as he will want his defence to perform better and keep clean sheets in group matches at least.
Van Dijk did not have the greatest season for Liverpool last term, and one might argue that he is past his best as a player.
That is quite natural for a player in his mid-30s, and the Liverpool centre-back will need help from the likes of Micky van de Ven, Denzel Dumfries and Jan Paul van Hecke to keep the Dutch defence safe.
As of now, Van Dijk’s ability to leap in and score goals will be of much importance to the Netherlands squad, and as the Virgil van Dijk goal against Japan pointed out, he remains one of the key centre-backs in the tournament, and he will definitely want to keep his last World Cup memorable.
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