Netherlands' loss to Algeria a pre-WC wake-up call

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, June 4 (Reuters): The Netherlands' 1-0 home defeat by Algeria in their World Cup warm-up on Wednesday was a wake-up call before they head to the US for next week's tournament start, coach Ronald Koeman said.
The North Africans snatched a late winner on the eve of the Dutch squad's departure for New York, where they have another friendly against World Cup debutants Uzbekistan on Monday.
"I absolutely hate losing; this was a match we should have won," a frustrated Koeman said. "We have to win these kinds of home matches; our (ranking) position demands it."
Koeman felt the eighth-ranked Dutch dominated the opening 25 minutes against fellow World Cup qualifiers Algeria and had several good chances but then let matters slip. "Because you don't put the game to bed within those first 25 minutes, you end up playing against yourselves," Koeman said.