“We Are Bitterly Disappointed, But We Can Learn From This” – Mike Panoho

Netherlands Fall Short Against Belgium in Crucial World Cup Qualifier

The Netherlands’ hopes of keeping their Rugby World Cup 2027 qualification dream alive suffered a major setback on Saturday, as they fell 31-10 to Belgium in a high-stakes clash in Amsterdam.

Despite the disappointment, assistant coach Mike Panoho remains optimistic about the lessons the team can take from the experience as they continue to build for the future.

A Historic Moment with High Stakes

For the first time in Dutch rugby history, the national team found itself in a position where a victory was crucial to staying in contention for a place at rugby’s biggest stage. The weight of the occasion was evident, with both teams knowing what was on the line. Unfortunately for the Oranje, they struggled to rise to the challenge against a powerful and well-organized Belgian side.

Match Report: Belgium Take Control Early – Belgium wasted no time asserting their dominance, striking early and racing to a two-score lead within the first 16 minutes. The Netherlands, slow to settle into the contest, found themselves repeatedly working their way into the opposition’s 22 but were unable to convert pressure into points. The physicality of Belgium’s forward pack proved to be a key difference, as they relentlessly bullied the Dutch in contact, providing a strong attacking platform for their backs to exploit. The Netherlands struggled to find answers and only managed to get on the scoreboard just before halftime, trailing significantly by then. It was a day when nothing seemed to click for the Oranje. Missed opportunities, struggles from the kicking tee, a held-up try, and a disallowed score all compounded their frustrations. Ultimately, Belgium controlled proceedings and secured a convincing 31-10 victory, leaving the Netherlands with a bitter taste as their World Cup qualification hopes took a serious blow.

Mike Panoho: “We Are Still a Family” – Speaking exclusively to *Dutch Rugby Mag* after the match, assistant coach Mike Panoho reflected on the team’s disappointment but remained steadfast in his belief that this experience would serve as a valuable stepping stone for the squad. “The boys are gutted by the result, and we are bitterly disappointed,” Panoho admitted. “But now it’s about rolling up our sleeves, doing more work, and improving on the foundation we’ve built.” Despite the setback, Panoho spoke about how much he has grown in his role with the support of head coach Lyn Jones and the rest of the coaching staff. He emphasized the strong bonds within the team, calling the squad “a family” and praising the immense work that has gone into their development. While the result wasn’t in their favor, he remains proud of the unity & growth within the group.

Listen to the full post-match interview here: https://youtu.be/Nc_Hlu0Q0J8?feature=shared 

What’s Next for the Netherlands?

With the international season now over, many of the Dutch players will return to their clubs, whether in France or domestically in the Ereklasse. While their World Cup qualification hopes have taken a hit, the team will regroup, analyze their performance, and continue building towards future international campaigns. On the other side, Belgium now progresses to the Rugby World Cup repechage qualification tournament, keeping their hopes alive for a spot at Australia 2027. For the Netherlands, the journey is far from over. Lessons will be learned, improvements will be made, and this setback will serve as motivation for the next chapter in Dutch rugby’s growth.