Perez slams Dutch 'cowardice' after Morocco World Cup round‑of‑16 exit

Former AZ, Ajax, PSV and FC Twente striker Kenneth Perez blasted the Netherlands’ World Cup round‑of‑16 defeat to Morocco, calling the Dutch side “lafjes” – cowardly – and accusing them of abandoning their usual attacking intent for a defensive five‑back system. Perez, who played for AZ, Ajax, PSV and FC Twente, said the first step should be to congratulate Morocco on a well‑deserved victory. He added, “Het Nederlands elftal speelde lafjes en dacht eigenlijk alleen maar defensief. Ze maakten zichzelf zwakker dan ze zijn.” Perez criticised the decision to switch to a five‑defender formation in the knockout stage. Hans Kraay Jr. questioned the move, saying, “Er was genoeg op aan te merken in de poulefase, maar waarom zou je nu ineens met vijf verdedigers gaan spelen?”

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Perez argued the Dutch defence remained far from watertight, noting Morocco created five to six clear chances. He highlighted goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s “wereldredding” in extra time, quoting, “Het is dat Bart Verbruggen een wereldredding had in de verlenging...”. Perez claimed Dutch clubs are not accustomed to a defensive mindset or to taking the initiative. He said, “We hebben dit soort ploegen verfoeid. Tijdrekken, verdedigen... Nederland heeft niets anders gedaan vandaag.”

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Perez lamented that the team’s key attackers – Brobbey, Gakpo and Summerville – “geen bal geraakt” during the match. He concluded that Ronald Koeman’s pragmatic approach had taken over, expressing disappointment and noting, “Koeman out.”