Holland coach Marco Van Basten said he was wrong to publicly question striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy's performance so far in the FIFA World Cup. "Regret is a big word, but what I did was not correct to the player," Van Basten was quoted as saying by Sky Sports in a press conference on Saturday. Van Basten admitted that he should have spoke with his star player before making the comments he did on Thursday but said he talked with Van Nistelrooy and straightened things out. "I spoke with Ruud on Thursday night after dinner and explained what I meant and what I expected from him. "I put my side and Ruud put his," Van Basten said. "We spoke about football and the expectations I have of him." "He was not pleased with it and felt sorry, but that is the way top sport works," the coach added. Van Basten's earlier comments hinted at frustration regarding Van Nistelrooy's abilities.
Van Nistelrooy The Manchester United hit-man, who has scored only one goal and was taken off in all three games during the Group C, pledged to perk up his performance, according to his coach. "He agreed with what I said and said he would do everything he could to make sure he did well in future games," he said. BBC Sports reported Van Basten as saying on Thursday that Van Nistelrooy may be replaced as starter by Dirk Kuyt during the round of 16. Despite Van Basten's apology, the Holland coach remains wary of his team's front-line. "We have reviewed our campaign in the Group of Death with satisfaction, although now we need something more," he said. "We've a solid team and now we need some offensive power, but that has to come from the whole team. "If we follow our offensive nature there is a chance we could end up with empty hands," he added.
