Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart spoke brazenly after the 2-1 defeat to Portugal that knocked his side out of Euro 2012, admitting that the Dutch had not played well enough to progress.
The Oranje were seen as one of the pre-tournament favourites but failed spectacularly to live up to that billing and now return home on the back of three successive defeats.
Van der Vaart looked to have set his side up for an unlikely quarter-final spot when he put them ahead with a fine early strike, but Portugal fought back through two Cristiano Ronaldo goals to leave the Dutch bottom of Group B.
"We were not good enough this tournament," Van der Vaart admitted to NOS. "It was just a very poor performance by us. That's why we didn't deserve to go through.
"You know it's going to be a tough match. After our goal they were the better team. We all played very bad. It's very disappointing, especially for the Dutch fans.
"After the loss against Denmark, you know it's going to be difficult, because you have to face two teams. Now we have to start all over again."
Portugal move on to face the Czech Republic in the quarter-final, with group winners Germany meeting Greece.
Van der Vaart: We didn't deserve to go through
By Al Hain-Cole | GOAL.com – Mon, Jun 18, 2012 6:00 AM SGT
View PhotoVan der Vaart: We didn't deserve to go through
Editors' Picks
Kagawa 'inspired' by Dortmund's run to Champions League final
The Manchester United midfielder is hoping to make a bigger impact in the tournament next season after watching his former club make it to Saturday's big match at Wembley
Aguero extends City contract until 2017
(Reuters) - Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the Premier League club until 2017, City said on Saturday. The 24-year-old Argentina international scored 12 goals in 30 league appearances last season, and netted the winning goal against Queens Park Rangers that secured them the 2011-12 title. "I'm very happy at City and I feel very appreciated," he told the club's website (www.mcfc.co.uk) recently. "It's been barely two years
Barcelona to sign Neymar
Real Madrid offered Santos more money but the Brazil international, 21, has chosen to jump the Sao Paulo ship to join Camp Nou on a five-year deal
Aguero signs one-year Manchester City contract extension
The Argentine commits to a new deal, running until 2017, as the Premier League runners-up look to avoid interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid materialising this summer
BREAKING NEWS: Aguero signs one-year Manchester City contract extension
The Argentine commits to a new deal, running until 2017, as the Premier League runners-up look to avoid interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid materialising this summer
'Lewandowski is a complete forward,' claims Kjaer
The Wolfsburg defender believes that the striker is amongst the very best in the world, a sentiment shared by Polish legend Zbigniew Boniek, who feels that he would suit Barcelona
Latest videos
Confederation Cup cities announced
SNTV Videos - Fri, Nov 9, 2012 6:53 PM SGTConfederation Cup cities announced [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Fri, Nov 9, 2012 6:51 PM SGTUlsan win from behind at Bunyodkor [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Thu, Oct 25, 2012 1:50 AM SGTUlsan win from behind at Bunyodkor
SNTV Videos - Thu, Oct 25, 2012 1:47 AM SGTKuwait SC beat Al Ettifaq to reach AFC Cup final [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 6:39 AM SGTKuwait SC beat Al Ettifaq to reach AFC Cup final
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 6:36 AM SGTArbil beat Chonburi to reach AFC Cup final [AMBIENT]
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 1:33 AM SGTArbil beat Chonburi to reach AFC Cup final
SNTV Videos - Wed, Oct 24, 2012 1:30 AM SGT
LATEST SPORTS NEWS
Today on Yahoo!
More From
Most Popular Stories
DTotD: Footballer gets knocked over in the box, kicked repeatedly by three opponents
Dirty TackleThis might be the easiest penalty call of all time. A player in green gathers a rebound off the post with his back to the goal. A player in red then clumsily falls into him from behind, sending them both … Continue reading →
Dan Tan charged in Hungary football match-fixing probe
AFP NewsHungarian prosecutors said Friday that Dan Tan, a notorious Singaporean alleged match-fixer wanted around the world, was charged in absentia along with 44 others suspected of manipulating football matches.
Four-goal comeback lifts Man City over Chelsea
AFP NewsMicah Richards scored in the 90th minute to complete a stunning comeback from a three-goal deficit and give Manchester City a 4-3 victory over Chelsea in an exhibition thriller.
Manchester United sack Phelan and Steele
GOAL.comThe two coaches, who took on their roles in 2008, will leave the club following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, with incoming boss David Moyes to bring in his own men
Coentrao: I never felt wanted at Real Madrid
GOAL.comThe Portugal international is seemingly keen to leave the Spanish giants in order to relaunch his career elsewhere, and has not ruled out a move to Premier League giants Chelsea