TA ‘QALI, , Malta - The Netherlands anticipated criticism after an uninspired 4-0 away win over Malta in World Cup qualification on Thursday, but coach Ronald Koeman was having none of it after his side took a step closer to next year’s finals.

Television pundits, immediately after the away game, and Friday’s newspapers bemoaned an uninspired performance from the Dutch, who went three points clear of Poland and Finland in the Group G standings with three matches to play.