Van Gaal pleased with Dutch comeback

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said he was happy with the way his side’s effort against Romania, despite their slow start in Bucharest.

The Dutchmen won the World Cup qualifier 4-1, with goals from Jeremain Lens, Bruno Martins Indi, Rafael van der Vaart and Robin van Persie sealing an ultimately conclusive victory.

“This is a great achievement,” van Gaal told SBS6.

“We did not start so well.

“But luck was on our side. Then we got better in the game and we saw it coming. They were incredible goals… Lens’ for example who never (scores from) headers.

“I thought in the first quarter we were restless, which I had not expected. But we had problems getting the ball forward.

“Romania are organised, so maybe that’s the excuse. In addition, the stadium was beautiful but the pitch less so.”

Van Gaal, 61, also singled out Nigel de Jong for praise, having previously criticised him following his side’s victory over Andorra.

“Nigel de Jong played a very good game,” praised the former Bayern Munich boss.

“He played the ball far better than against Belgium and Andorra.

“Overall I am very happy with the second-half because we killed the game and gave little away.”