Ronald Koeman warns Oranje: “A player we need to keep a close eye on”

The Netherlands national team will play the next round against Morocco, where among others Ismael Saibari and Anass Salah-Eddine are in the squad. Saibari has been on target in all three group stage matches so far for the Atlas Lions, and so national team coach Ronald Koeman is on the lookout for the departing PSV player.

This lets the national team coach know during the press conference after the won match against Tunisia (1-3). Koeman does not dare to name a favorite for the match with Morocco.

''I don't know if we are the favorites in the match against Morocco. Morocco is a strong team that plays offensively. Many technical players and players between the lines,'' the national team coach said during the press conference, as quoted by Voetbal International.

Subsequently, Koeman points to Ismael Saibari, who, according to him, must be closely watched without any doubt. ''A player like Saibari we know very well from the Dutch league. Playing well and scoring goals in the Netherlands isn’t all that difficult. But if you do that on this stage as well, then that is indeed a player we need to keep a close eye on'', said Koeman.

Nevertheless, the head coach sees enough chances against the Atlas Lions. ''Like every team, Morocco has less strong points too. We will discuss that with the players who can take advantage of it. But it is clear that you have to be well positioned and close down quickly when they have the ball. In both the pace and the positional changes, it has to be better. At times, even without the ball, we still need to be more compact. Overall, we did well in the group stage. Now we are really being tested,'' Koeman concludes.