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Rijkaard quits after shootout loss
Posted: Friday June 30, 2000 11:31 PM AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard announced his resignation within minutes after his team was eliminated in the semifinal of Euro 2000 against Italy on Thursday. "I just want thank all the players for their support," said the 37-year-old former international, who took over the helm of the national squad from Gus Hiddink two years ago after the World Cup in France. "I wanted to get results and the team deserved this," he said. "I feel sad for my players. But this is the law in soccer. I didn't reach my goal and now I must take the consequences." The Netherlands lost in a penalty shootout after a scoreless game Thursday. It had won its four previous games in the tournament, including a 3-2 win over reigning World Cup champion France, which made it to the final. On a team where infighting, public squabbles and a lack of team spirit had repeatedly sabotaged international efforts, the Dutch squad did remarkably well under Rijkaard, showing unity and composure. The Oranje team produced flair and panache expected by demanding home fans, edging past the Czech Republic 1-0, slow to start before defeating the Danes 3-0 and rallying back to overcome reigning World Cup champions France 3-2. When Rijkaard's squad finally delivered the fluid, attractive style of Dutch teams in its quarterfinal, defeating Yugoslavia 6-1, it was widely thought the team had found itself and was considered the favorite heading into its semifinal against Italy. This was the team's first defeat under Rijkaard since June 8, 1999 when it lost to Brazil in a friendly. Since then the squad had been undefeated in 12 international matches. "He proved he was good," said Dutch great Johan Cruyff. Rijkaard insisted he had not chosen to resign off the cuff and his decision had nothing to do with his team's performance or his disappointment. "I had already made my decision before the match," said Rijkaard, a former Ajax and AC Milan defender and key player of the national team that won the 1988 European Championships, the Netherlands' only major trophy. "My aim was to win these champion and that didn't happen. It had nothing to do with missed penalty shots. That was all my responsibility." Kluivert was the only Dutchman to score in the shootout. Team captain and free-kick specialist Frank de Boer as well as Paul Bosvelt saw their spot kicks solidly saved and Jaap Stam fired over the bar. Rijkaard will now not lead the team into the World Cup qualification campaign for 2002, which starts in September.
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