The Dutch national football team’s defence has come under scrutiny following a recent string of games conceding goals. The team has failed to maintain a clean sheet in their last five international matches. Over these five games, the Netherlands has conceded six goals and scored seven, resulting in a narrow positive goal difference. Criticism arose after the team conceded two goals in their opening World Cup match against Japan, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Former player Ron Vlaar has expressed his strong belief in the current defence and criticised what he perceives as unfair criticism directed at Virgil van Dijk. This comes as the team prepares for crucial upcoming matches, needing to solidify their defensive performance. The recent defensive vulnerabilities represent a shift from previous years where the defence was not a primary concern.