Dutch great Johan Cruyff criticizes the Netherlands’ aggressive tactics in World Cup final

Cruyff criticizes Dutch tactics in World Cup final

MADRID — Dutch soccer great Johan Cruyff has criticized the Netherlands for its aggressive play during the 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final.

In his column for the Barcelona-based daily El Periodico, Cruyff says the Dutch players coached by Bert van Marwijk “didn’t want the ball. And, lamentably and sadly, they played very dirty.”

He added Monday that the Dutch deserved to have been left with nine players early in the game because two tackles were “so ugly and tough they even hurt me.” The Dutch had eight yellow cards and a red card.

The 63-year-old Cruyff is a former Ajax and Barcelona player who starred for the Netherlands in the 1970s.