The Dutch national team booked a hard-fought victory in and against Poland on Wednesday evening. The team of national coach Frank de Boer turned a 1-0 deficit in the last fifteen minutes into a 1-2 victory, thanks to goals from Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum. Pierre van Hooijdonk and Rafael van der Vaart say after the NOS to have enjoyed Depay’s game.

“The second half the the Dutch had fewer opportunities than in the first half. He was the player responsible for all those opportunities. If something happened, Memphis was involved ”, Van Hooijdonk begins his analysis. “He picks up the ball himself to do something, makes the action himself and has no shame. No matter how hard, he wants every ball. He takes responsibility. ”

Depay signed after 77 minutes for the equalizer from a penalty kick, which he shot hard against the ropes. “He shoots a spider out of the goal at the penalty,” laughs Van Hooijdonk. Depay again played against Poland in the point of the attack, initially flanked by Donyell Malen and Calvin Stengs. The AZ attacker was replaced in the second half by Steven Berghuis. In the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina (3-1 win) last Sunday, Luuk de Jong was still the striker and Depay played as a left winger.

“He was the finisher in a number of cases after the break. In the first half he was often the player who gave the smart pass and let himself back down a bit more ”, says Van Hooijdonk when Depay’s position is discussed. “He does what he wants anyway, he should also play that way”, Van der Vaart comments. “A lot of people say that he doesn’t help defend, but he tries so smelly. All threat comes from him. That penalty was really great. ”