Guus Til goes on the offensive after convincing Oranje win: criticism, Oranje bubble, and World Cup experience

After the convincing 5-1 victory over Sweden, the Netherlands national team is one foot in the knockout stage of the World Cup. After the earlier draw against Japan, Oranje has now collected four points and the atmosphere within the squad is excellent. PSV player Guus Til spoke after the match with VoetbalPrimeur about the mood in the group, criticism from the outside, and life during the tournament.

After the disappointing point loss against Japan, the necessary criticism of Oranje's play sounded in the Netherlands. According to Til, however, little of that reaches the squad from within.

"I think that we all live in a kind of bubble and we know very well what is wrong and what is good", says the midfielder. The players focus primarily on themselves and do not let themselves be distracted by opinions from outside. On social media, Til mainly gets responses from supporters. "Socials from the supporters. But nothing more."

National team coach Ronald Koeman previously said that players should speak up to one another more often. Til, however, does not recognize the picture that it remained quiet within the group after the match against Japan.

"Certain guys have spoken out", he says. In his view, there is also no question of a lack of personalities who dare to give their opinion. When asked whether there are enough leaders in the squad, Til replies decisively: "Absolutely not."

Although the Netherlands ultimately won comfortably against Sweden, according to Til the match had several phases. In particular, the drinking break halfway through the first half influenced how the duel unfolded.

"It was a bit of a strange momentum switch all the way through," he looks back. According to Til, the break gave Sweden the opportunity to adjust tactically. "As a team you can set it up differently in one go. I don’t even know if that’s exactly what a drink break is meant to do. It is what it is."

After the brief interruption, Sweden got the better of the match, but Orange ultimately managed to take the initiative back again. "That’s their right. We just had to come up with something in response too."

Despite the comfortable Dutch victory, Sweden managed a fair number of shots to their name. Til believes that statistic should be put into perspective. "Also long-range attempts, in my view", he says. Many Swedish shots, according to the midfielder, came from outside the penalty area. "So that may also be somewhat distorted."

In addition to training sessions, matches and media appearances, there is also room for relaxation during the World Cup. Til sees that as an important part of the tournament. "I like that we also sometimes get some free time, so it’s a bit the same as at home", he explains.

According to PSV midfielder, that helps so you are not completely swallowed up by life in the players’ hotel. "So you can step out of that bubble a bit, and it doesn’t turn into a kind of rut to keep staying in that hotel every day again."

The selection recently visited a game of the Kansas City Royals. There too, Til’s competitive streak came through. "I’m so competitive that I also like seeing who’s going to win. But it’s also a lot of show."

To enjoy, visible of his first World Cup experience, and impressed by the support that Oranje gets in the United States. "I did expect less orange support; I had a hunch that it also wasn't all Dutch people", he says with a laugh. The massive support from the stands, he says, does the players good. "We feel incredibly supported." With a smile, he concludes: "A completely orange stadium, so that's pretty cool."