Holland soccer legend, Patrick Kluivert has offered Nigeria an insight into what to expect from Iceland when they lock horns on June 22 at this year’s World Cup, and it is not about a single star to watch out for, as he says the Nordic Nation will rely on collective spirit in the search for victory.
Rather than single out one player that could lead the way in The Cold Country’s debut at the Mundial, Kluivert says it would be about team work making things happen for the side that caused many shocks at Euro 2016.
Therefore, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will have to be on their toes in their second group game, as Kluivert says Iceland’s collective style of play would make them very difficult to beat.
Iceland will kick-off their campaign against Argentina on June 16, before other clashes in Group D with Nigeria and Croatia.
Kluivert, whose only World Cup appearance for Netherlands was France ’98, where he got two goals in helping his country finish fourth, reckons that Iceland make up their lack of great individual talents with a strong unit.
Kluivert posited: “We’ve seen what Iceland are capable of: they don’t have individual match-winners, but they’ve got that collective spirit.
“They have something special, a real togetherness, and they make up for their shortcomings by battling hard on the pitch. They can win matches that way; they’ve already proven that.”
Kluivert who scored the only goal when Ajax pipped AC Milan 1-0 in the final of the 1995 UEFA Champions League, states that the likes of Spain, Brazil and Argentina will be very strong in attack while hoping to watch an exciting tournament.
“It’s always a pleasure for me and everyone else to watch the best players contesting a World Cup. We’re looking forward to some great matches. I think we’re going to see an entertaining World Cup with a lot of attacking football,” the former Barcelona striker said.
“Teams like Germany, Brazil, Spain and Argentina are going to attack because in their minds, the most important thing will be getting through to the next round. But the sides who aren’t under any pressure are also going to attack because they’ve got nothing to lose.”
