July 3 (Reuters) - Landon Donovan, the United States' record scorer who was left out of the World Cup squad, has criticised coach Juergen Klinsmann's tactics during their campaign which ended with a 2-1 second round extra-time defeat by Belgium. Klinsmann's decision not to include 32-year-old Donovan in his 23-man squad surprised many fans and pundits and increased speculation that the pair did not see eye-to-eye. While Donovan has been careful with his words in his television appearances during the tournament, the team's exit prompted a pointed critique of the German coach's approach. "I think the most disappointing is we didn't seem like we gave it a real effort, from a tactical standpoint," he was quoted as saying on the Major League Soccer official website (www.mlssoccer.com). "I thought the guys did everything they could, they did everything that was asked of them, but I don't think (tactically) we were set up to succeed... and that was tough to watch." Donovan said Klinsmann had turned away from the positive approach he had adopted since taking over the U.S. team in 2011. "They were set up in a way that was opposite from what they've been the past couple of years, which is opening up, passing, attacking - trying to do that. And the team has been successful that way. "Why they decided to switch that in the World Cup, none of us will know. From a playing standpoint, I think the guys will probably be disappointed in the way things went," he said.Negative approach After striker Jozy Altidore was injured in their opening win against Ghana, Klinsmann opted to play Clint Dempsey as a lone striker and Donovan said that was a negative approach. "My feeling as a player, if I'm in that locker room before that game - before the Germany game, before the Belgium game - and the coach walked in and said we're playing a 4-5-1 and Clint is up top by himself, I would have been disappointed. Because I would have said let's go for it. I want a chance to go for it and try to win the game," he said. L.A. Galaxy winger Donovan also criticised the decision to play Michael Bradley in a more advanced role in midfield. Donovan evaded the question of whether he expected to return to the national team ahead of next year's Gold Cup. "We'll see. That depends on a lot of conversations that would have to be held," he said. On Wednesday, Klinsmann said he intended to turn towards young players in the coming year as he seeks out new talent for the national team.
More
Vietnamese peacekeeping sapper unit repairs road for people in Africa
The repair work was completed and the road was put into use recently after only three working days
Read more
A woeful reign of French football coach Philippe Troussier in Vietnam
Vietnam bid farewell to Troussier before matters worsened
1 day agoPhilippe Troussier steps down as head coach of Vietnam after humiliating loss to Indonesia
The thrashing was the straw that broke the camel's back
2 days agoRunner dies during Vietnam Ultra Marathon 2024
Despite receiving emergency treatment, he did not make it
3 days agoVFF rebuts YouTube claims key players exiting Vietnam football team
A YouTube channel with nearly 500,000 followers circulated these rumors
3 days agoNo immediate plans for Troussier’s dismissal despite concerns over Vietnam’s qualification: football watchdog
Vietnam has a dismal record under Troussier’s coaching
4 days agoHighlights
School in central Vietnam asks students who refuse to join field trip to scrape moss off fence
The fee for attending the trip was VND350,000 (US$14.1) per student
Photos
Artist paints murals on house to raise awareness of COVID-19 prevention in Hanoi
He drew the virus, vaccine, and earth on the exterior walls of a house
Latest news
Canadian Minister sees Vietnam as key partner
Minister Ng affirmed that the potential for the cooperation between Vietnam and Canada remains huge
Planned establishment of ‘single ladies market’ in southern Vietnam arouses controversy
Many social media users are puzzled over what exactly the market is and what kinds of goods it sells
School in central Vietnam asks students who refuse to join field trip to scrape moss off fence
The fee for attending the trip was VND350,000 (US$14.1) per student
Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News – March 29
Good morning from Vietnam!
Japanese volunteers promote tourism across Vietnam
Currently, there are seven volunteers operating in tourist destinations across the country, namely Da Nang, Da Lat, and Can Tho
Vietnam’s Dong Nai lays foundation stone to restore Long Hoa Pagoda
After three years of renovation, the pagoda will have five storeys
Vietnam asks vessels with Vietnamese on board to avoid passing through Red Sea
Tensions in the Red Sea are escalating
2 Chinese men arrested for attempting to illegally send 21 Vietnamese to Laos
The cost of illegal exit was set at 280 Chinese yuan (US$38.7) per person
A glimpse of location set for future night quarter in Ho Chi Minh City
Binh Tay Market, a renowned architectural relic and tourist attraction in the city, will spotlight the night quarter
Renovation underway at abandoned downtown park in Vietnam’s Nghe An
Park-goers in recent years discovered that the play zone and some other facilities of the park became deserted and aging