The land of Tulip threatened to take away final glory in style on a couple of occasions in the past. Netherlands meaning “never land” mostly reclaimed from sea is protected by dykes all around. The country is meters below the mean sea level thrive in technology and natural resources. Soccer is among their passion presenting brilliant creative players to international arena.
The Netherlands time and again attempted to ultimate title with a combination of brilliant touch players and budding young talents. Unfortunately the creators of total football could not touch the world cup trophy yet. Over the last decade the Netherlands possessed some of the soccer world’s most talented players. They showed lot of promises to drive the national team to dream success in world level. But dreams never came true.
Gifted players like Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Rafael van der Vaart, Niegel de Jong and Wesley Snejider remain the key to success in teams they play in Europe but they are ageing and in all probability will pass their prime in not too distant future. Brazil 2014 may be the last opportunity for these wonderfully creative footballers to earn highest prize of a professional’s career before they sign off.
The Netherlands stormed through the qualifying round establishing their superiority in their group with brilliant brand of attacking football. They booked their tickets to Brazil as the first European team with still two of the group matches left. They remained unbeaten winning 9 matches and drawing the other. Netherlands scored 34 goals conceding only 5 in the qualifying round. The unexpected finalists of 2010 in South Africa however are not among the favorites for the Cup 2014. But they have so much in store to prove pundits wrong. Being out of the radar may act as blessings for the Dutch. Brazil world cup may witness the swansong for maestros like Robin van Persi, Wesley Snejider, Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Ruben.
Coach Louis van Gaal has brought the wind of change with fresh bloods. These include Feynoord duo Bruno Martins Indi and Daryl Janmaat in the defense. These young legs will find experienced allies in Ron Vlaar of Aston Villa and Gregory van der Wiel to strengthen the defense. Exciting Chelsea mid fielder Marco van Ginken along with PSV mid fielder Adam Maher will make the Dutch bridging attack and defense smooth. Tried and tested van Persi and van der Vaart will be available to feed Robben to crack at opponent goals.
Things could have been so different in 2010 World Cup final if star Spanish keeper Iker Casillas did not save two scorchers of Robben. Present Coach van Gaal is one of the Dutch Masters to emerge in the wake of Rinus Mitchels “Total Football“. Like Mitchel Gul started with Ajax, moved to Barcelona and then to Netherlands. Both have records of winning club trophies in Spain, Netherlands and Germany. Now it is the turn of Gaal to mastermind Dutch winning the most sought after title. An advocate of Total football Gaals is set to play all out attacking football in a difficult group having current champion Spain, difficult South African team Chile and not a mere pushover Australia.
The Netherlands are always discussed with respect in world soccer. But they are rarely put in the same bracket of Spain, Germany, Argentina and Brazil. Writing off the Orange altogether however may fool many. If likes of Robben, van Persi and van der Vaart shine once more before calling it a day there can be orange revolution in Brazil. Can the Netherlands bring the glory back home which the legendry Johan Cruyff and his mates failed to achieve going very close to it?
BDST: 0935 HRS, MAY 12, 2014
