World Cup
Reijnders edges closer to first Oranje goal in Kansas City
Tijjani Reijnders has completed the group stage with the Netherlands national team after a 3-1 win over Tunisia in Kansas City. The midfielder provided an assist and hit the crossbar but remains scoreless in the tournament so far.
Speaking after the match, Reijnders admitted he is getting closer to scoring his first goal for Oranje. "I’m getting closer, ultimately it will come naturally," he said. He added that the lack of a goal only motivates him to keep positioning himself to score.
Reijnders has moved higher up the pitch in this Oranje side, finding himself in more dangerous areas but lacking the finishing touch. Today’s only shot on target was his crossbar strike, and he hopes to convert at a more crucial moment.
Against a deep-defending opponent like Tunisia, space is limited. Reijnders explained that finding shooting opportunities requires pushing almost into the penalty area. "Because they drop so deep, it’s hard to find those moments. You almost have to get into the 16-yard box," he said.
His father, who emphasized long-range shooting during Reijnders’ time at AC Milan, is encouraging him to use his shooting power for Oranje too. Reijnders aims to take more shots from 20 metres out.
The midfielder believes the team created more chances against Tunisia compared to the opening match against Japan. "I think we created quite a lot," he said, though he noted Tunisia’s lower quality. One concern remained: "Sometimes we were maybe too naive in possession."
Tunisia’s deep defence allowed Oranje to lose the ball cheaply, leading to dangerous counterattacks. Reijnders highlighted this as an area needing improvement ahead of the knockout clash.
Family support remains crucial for Reijnders. He searches for them before every match, and their presence gives him an extra boost. Whether they will travel to Mexico for the Morocco game is still uncertain. "We’ll see what’s practical, but I think they won’t be able to make it," he said.
Reijnders is clearly looking forward to the knockout stage, especially the match against Morocco. "I’m really looking forward to this one, especially now it’s a knockout phase," he said. He also believes Dutch fans will enjoy the game. "I think it will be a nice match for the people back home," he added.