The football fan
So Holland is in the final of the worldcup and I still can’t believe it…
This lucky and dull team somehow made it to the final of the 2010 worldcup, and thereby making a mockery of the great Dutch teams of the past. If Johan Cruyff was dead he should be turning in his grave: his legacy of attacking (total) football that he introduced in the seventies has been tarnished by this year’s team. Can you imagine? This 2010 team featuring one André Ooijer and Stijn Schaars, winning the worldcup, while the ’74 team, with football legends Ruud Krol and Wim van Hanegem somehow couldn’t win. A Dutch win in the final would be a loss to football.
Let’s take a look at this Dutch team shall we?
Goalkeeper Maarten Stekenburg: Nothing special. Yes, he made some decent saves against Slovakia and Brazil, but his howler against Uruguay proved he’s not world-class material.
Right full back Gregory van der Wiel; He has some talent but looked completely lost against Slovakia and he seemed just too nervous in the Brazil game.
Left full back Gio van Bronckhorst: He is ancient; it’s still surprising no team has been able to challenge him this world cup.
Centre back pairing John Heitinga and Joris Mathijssen: Both are overachievers. They are slow and their heading ability is average at best. Johnny can’t tackle while Joris always will make one howler every game.
Holding midfielders Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong: Van Bommel is useful in his own annoying way: he should have been sent off at least 3 times this world cup. De Jong: decent tackler but he can’t pass and he has a tendency to win stupid bookings, thereby getting his team in trouble.
Attacking midfielder Arjen Robben: Always injured and when he plays he always dives.
Attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder: Must be the luckiest player at this worldcup. Yes, he has 5 goals to his name, but all but one were goalkeeping errors or deflected shots. His overall play has been disappointing.
Attacking midfielder Dirk Kuyt: He is just a hardworking player, nothing more.
Striker Robin van Persie: Great talent, but is a massive underachiever this worldcup.
Let’s face it this Oranje has been very lucky this world cup: They won their first game through an own goal against Denmark, the second game was won because of a goalkeeping error and their final group game was basically just a friendly. And then there were the knockout stages: in the second round they were lucky to escape with a 2-1 win against minnows Slovakia. In the quarters against Brazil, they should have been down by 3 goals at least before the interval. And Holland only won because of a goalkeeping mistake and a Brazil player who went completely mad. Then there was the game against Uruguay, were Holland had trouble beating a team missing their goalscorer and their best defender.
This team tries to be ‘well-organized’ while they are leaking goals left and right. They can’t convert their chances, have difficulty passing the ball, can’t get their striker involved, they are collecting booking with cynical fouls and they dive. As a fan of football, I think this Dutch team was just fortunate getting this far and was lucky that other teams massively underperformed this world cup.
For the final, I just hope Holland doesn’t embarrass themselves against Spain.
The Dutchman
So Holland is in the final of the worldcup and I still can’t believe it…
Before the tournament nobody thought this Dutch team would get this far, there was doubt about the goalkeeper, the back four was laughed at, their midfield was judged to be solid but unspectacular, only the Dutch attack was rated as competent. Doesn’t that make this Dutch world cup run more remarkable?
While this Holland team plays very dull football, even duller if you remember Dutch teams of the past, they do have a kind of invincibility about them that Oranje didn’t have in the past.
The history of Dutch football has always been marred by playing nice attacking football and then losing in excruciating fashion. It’s nice to have a team that just wins for real rather than just win sympathy. And while most people in the Netherlands (and around the world) would prefer to see Holland play their normal attacking football, it’s not this team’s fault it has to carry the burden of attacking football. In other words: you can’t blame this team for not being the 1974 team. They are their own team. And besides if this was an Italian team would we really care how they got to the final? Wouldn’t we say: Italians just know how to win?
In (lazy) world cup previews the Dutch team is always characterized as underachieving and with infighting. The strength of this Oranje however, is undoubtedly their team spirit. In the past it’s always been said that Holland can’t win if they played bad, this team characterized itself by playing ugly and winning. Credits should go to Bert van Marwijk for this, who brought a new identity to Dutch football, maybe not as pretty as we want but it is a winning identity. And winning has been lacking for a long time.
Some describe this team as lucky. While there is no denying Holland had some luck getting to the final, it’s not fair to say they got this far just because they are lucky. The people who call Holland fortunate point to the Brazil game as prime example: although Brazil was much better in the first half, the seleção didn’t create a lot of chances if you look at it objectively. Also the referee's decisions didn’t benefit Holland in that game.
The performance in their semi final game certainly wasn’t a prime one if you consider that Uruguay was playing with a depleted team. But on the other had you should also consider: Uruguay had nothing to lose as massive underdogs, also Holland was missing one of their most important players: Nigel de Jong.
Germany has played wonderful football this great world cup, causing Dutch pundits to proudly describe the way the way the Mannschaft plays as 'typical Dutch'(like most people in the world, we like to take credit for other people success). And despite the rivalry that still exists between the Germans and the Dutch, this German team is held in high regard. And although their free flowing football has been great, I do like to point out that Germany has played teams that like to attack while Holland played very defensive teams for the most part. It’s hard to look good against defensive teams.
Maybe Holland will lose the game against Spain; because, let’s be honest, that would be the most logical outcome of the final. But I am sure Bert van Marwijk’s team will make it very difficult for Spain and who knows, this Dutch team has surprised me more than once.
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt; van Persie
Fearless prediction: 2-1 to Spain. Objectively speaking Spain are just the better team right now (Clearly I hope it will go Holland's way). I have no idea what kind of game this will be.
zondag 11 juli 2010
dinsdag 6 juli 2010
Holland v Uruguay pre-match thoughts
Still a crazy thought, The Netherlands in the semi final of this World Cup with football that is really unknown to the Dutch public; qualifications like workmanlike, ‘well organized’, defense first, win ugly and resiliency were used to describe German and Italian teams of the past, teams who we used to despise. Those qualifications can now be stated for this Oranje and we (Dutch public) are getting closer to loving this team.
Although the age of total football is long gone, (described in a great way by Raphael Honigstein on SI.com, here) the past few decades the intention of the Dutch team has always been: "win beautiful or don’t win at all". This Oranje has another mantra: “win first and if there is still time left, we will try to play some pretty football.”
It’s hard to put into words how big this change is in the identity of Dutch football. Maybe this is a good indication: former international Ruud Gullit said on espn soccernet (link: here) on February 8 of this year, he doubts Holland can win the worldcup:
"I have my doubts about whether Holland can win it, simply because we need to play well in all the games," he said. "The opposition seem to have sussed us out at the last few tournaments, which makes it difficult to play our game, but I hope we will do well. There is a great possibility to get through our group but it's going to be hard. I always hope that, when we get through our group, we can win games ugly - that would be a turning point."
Well, Holland has won their fair share of ugly games this tournament and in my view it has been a huge turning point of the faith of this team.
But let’s get back to reality first. The win against Brazil doesn’t mean anything if Holland loses to Uruguay. And although the mood in Holland is jubilant, I think many people realize that this game won’t be easy at all. Like all of Oranje’s opponents this worldcup, Uruguay will presumably play very defensively. This defensive playing style will cause Holland to play a slow, patient and (sadly) boring game.
(Germany is my favorite team to watch this worldcup and I will be rooting for them to reach the final. But I do like to point out that the Mannschaft had the luxury of playing attack minded teams (or horrible organized teams) like Australia, Ghana, England and Argentina. All of them played to Germany’s strengths rather than their weakness. Holland had the ‘pleasure’ of playing ultra defensive teams like Denmark, Japan, and Slovakia and against a team described as having the best defense at this worldcup: Brazil.)
For their attack, Uruguay will count on Diego Forlan and he will be a menace for the Dutch defense, especially with center back’s Heitinga and Mathijssen not being the most mobile in the World. But in my view the most danger will come from Uruguay’s right side with Cavani. I am still surprised no team at this worldcup has been able to get at 35 year old Gio van Bronckhorst. If the celeste is smart they will pin point the Dutch left back to launch their main attack, thereby also forcing Dirk Kuyt to put in a lot of defensive work making the Dutch left side almost impotent in attack.
Uruguay will be missing the irritating but still likable Suarez due to suspension. But the suspended player, who will possibly have the most influence on the game by his absence, is Nigel de Jong. De Jong is the Dutch main enforcer in midfield and there is no player in the squad who can replace his ball winning skills. This may force Oranje to put more pressure up high on Uruguay to win back possession, leaving space behind the Dutch back four. I would back Forlan to use this to his advantage, if he doesn’t play as deep like he did in previous games.
De Jong’s replacement will be Demy de Zeeuw. De Zeeuw is a decent midfielder and looks like De Jong a bit (he is also small and bald) but doesn’t have the intensity or aggressiveness De Jong has. He does have better passing skills and has a good goal scoring record for a holding midfielder. In The Netherlands he is known for the irritating manners Mark van Bommel is also famous for. A.I. a bit of a diver and succeeding in making opponents go mad.
The Dutch defense is solid but Brazil proved it’s certainly not ‘world class’. Mathijssen will be back to replace Andre Ooijer and although Ooijer had a very solid game against Brazil, Dutch blood pressure won’t rise to dangerous levels when Uruguay nears the Dutch back line. I hope for the same attacking intensity Holland showed against Brazil in the second half, where the Dutch attack finally showed to a certain extent what they are capable of. I expect Uruguay to swarm Robben, but this will leave more room to work with for Van Bommel, van Persie, Sneijder and even Kuyt.
All this said (and putting as much objectivity in my prediction as possible) I think Holland will win this game. I don’t see Uruguay stopping Robben without leaving a dangerous amount of space for Sneijder and Van Persie to exploit. If they fail, Holland has other viable options on the bench to bring in, like Elia, Van der Vaart and Huntelaar. I am not saying Uruguay isn’t dangerous but in my opinion the Netherlands has shown it’s just too solid, focused and resilient to let this unique opportunity pass by. It won’t be pretty or easy but somewhere, somehow Oranje will find a way to win.
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; Boulahrouz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, de Zeeuw; Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt; van Persie
Fearless prediction: 2-1 to Holland. Game with few chances where Holland will be very patient and Uruguay will defend in numbers.
Although the age of total football is long gone, (described in a great way by Raphael Honigstein on SI.com, here) the past few decades the intention of the Dutch team has always been: "win beautiful or don’t win at all". This Oranje has another mantra: “win first and if there is still time left, we will try to play some pretty football.”
It’s hard to put into words how big this change is in the identity of Dutch football. Maybe this is a good indication: former international Ruud Gullit said on espn soccernet (link: here) on February 8 of this year, he doubts Holland can win the worldcup:
"I have my doubts about whether Holland can win it, simply because we need to play well in all the games," he said. "The opposition seem to have sussed us out at the last few tournaments, which makes it difficult to play our game, but I hope we will do well. There is a great possibility to get through our group but it's going to be hard. I always hope that, when we get through our group, we can win games ugly - that would be a turning point."
Well, Holland has won their fair share of ugly games this tournament and in my view it has been a huge turning point of the faith of this team.
But let’s get back to reality first. The win against Brazil doesn’t mean anything if Holland loses to Uruguay. And although the mood in Holland is jubilant, I think many people realize that this game won’t be easy at all. Like all of Oranje’s opponents this worldcup, Uruguay will presumably play very defensively. This defensive playing style will cause Holland to play a slow, patient and (sadly) boring game.
(Germany is my favorite team to watch this worldcup and I will be rooting for them to reach the final. But I do like to point out that the Mannschaft had the luxury of playing attack minded teams (or horrible organized teams) like Australia, Ghana, England and Argentina. All of them played to Germany’s strengths rather than their weakness. Holland had the ‘pleasure’ of playing ultra defensive teams like Denmark, Japan, and Slovakia and against a team described as having the best defense at this worldcup: Brazil.)
For their attack, Uruguay will count on Diego Forlan and he will be a menace for the Dutch defense, especially with center back’s Heitinga and Mathijssen not being the most mobile in the World. But in my view the most danger will come from Uruguay’s right side with Cavani. I am still surprised no team at this worldcup has been able to get at 35 year old Gio van Bronckhorst. If the celeste is smart they will pin point the Dutch left back to launch their main attack, thereby also forcing Dirk Kuyt to put in a lot of defensive work making the Dutch left side almost impotent in attack.
Uruguay will be missing the irritating but still likable Suarez due to suspension. But the suspended player, who will possibly have the most influence on the game by his absence, is Nigel de Jong. De Jong is the Dutch main enforcer in midfield and there is no player in the squad who can replace his ball winning skills. This may force Oranje to put more pressure up high on Uruguay to win back possession, leaving space behind the Dutch back four. I would back Forlan to use this to his advantage, if he doesn’t play as deep like he did in previous games.
De Jong’s replacement will be Demy de Zeeuw. De Zeeuw is a decent midfielder and looks like De Jong a bit (he is also small and bald) but doesn’t have the intensity or aggressiveness De Jong has. He does have better passing skills and has a good goal scoring record for a holding midfielder. In The Netherlands he is known for the irritating manners Mark van Bommel is also famous for. A.I. a bit of a diver and succeeding in making opponents go mad.
The Dutch defense is solid but Brazil proved it’s certainly not ‘world class’. Mathijssen will be back to replace Andre Ooijer and although Ooijer had a very solid game against Brazil, Dutch blood pressure won’t rise to dangerous levels when Uruguay nears the Dutch back line. I hope for the same attacking intensity Holland showed against Brazil in the second half, where the Dutch attack finally showed to a certain extent what they are capable of. I expect Uruguay to swarm Robben, but this will leave more room to work with for Van Bommel, van Persie, Sneijder and even Kuyt.
All this said (and putting as much objectivity in my prediction as possible) I think Holland will win this game. I don’t see Uruguay stopping Robben without leaving a dangerous amount of space for Sneijder and Van Persie to exploit. If they fail, Holland has other viable options on the bench to bring in, like Elia, Van der Vaart and Huntelaar. I am not saying Uruguay isn’t dangerous but in my opinion the Netherlands has shown it’s just too solid, focused and resilient to let this unique opportunity pass by. It won’t be pretty or easy but somewhere, somehow Oranje will find a way to win.
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; Boulahrouz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, de Zeeuw; Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt; van Persie
Fearless prediction: 2-1 to Holland. Game with few chances where Holland will be very patient and Uruguay will defend in numbers.
zondag 4 juli 2010
Holland v Brazil afterthoughts: Team Kuyt
Holland v Brazil 2-1
'10 Robinho
'53 Sneijder
'68 Sneijder
First off: Holland had no business being in that game in the first half. Brazil was better on all possible fronts. To be more accurate: Holland made Brazil look very good in the first half, even with this defensive team the ´seleção´ could play cliché jogo bonito and samba football.
In the interval I was considering if I should rush to learn who is riding in the Tour de France or just enjoy the sun. I was completely ready to just forget about the cruel game that is called football and that lot of orange impostors who think of themselves as professional footballers.
The only sound you could hear in the interval around the neighborhood were orange flags flapping in the summer breeze. I was actually surprised that my neighbor wasn’t busy removing the inflatable orange doll sitting on his balcony.
I decided to watch the second half just for a minute to make sure the self embarrassing process would continue. But it was kind of strange to see those orange dudes actually putting some pressure on those blue guys at the beginning of the second half. I made myself sit down and watch until Brazil made it two, what was surely just a matter of time. But then a series of unlikely events happened in quick succession: a mistake by the world’s best goalkeeper, a header by a dwarf, an attempt to amputate a leg (that didn’t injure a ‘man of glass’, what was surely the biggest surprise of the day) and loads of chances missed in the most comical ways possible. Causing me to jump up and down in ecstasy, screaming and sweating like a crazy man and pleading with a Japanese guy, who was 6000 miles away, to blow his whistle for the last time. The most remarkable turnaround in the history of oranje just happened, hours later I still couldn’t believe it.
Dirk Kuyt is surely the embodiment of this team, it’s kind of ugly, bulked up but not very fast, hardworking, you may not want to really see it but in the end he succeeds, well... sort of.
It’s certainly not pretty, the guys who should provide the flashiness: Van Persie, Sneijder, Robben and Van der Vaart haven’t clicked for one minute this world cup, while the blue collar players like De Jong, Van Bommel and Kuyt have earned the wins for oranje. Nobody could have guessed Holland would even get out of the group stage without ‘the big 4’ excelling. The defense which was rightly laughed at before the tournament now is a Dutch strength, proving that team organization is far more important than individually über talented defenders. Speaking of the Dutch defense, surprisingly Brazil was rarely able to trouble the almost retired Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Also if members of this seleção look back at this game, they must be tearing their hair out if they realize that the 36 years old, very slow and unemployed Adre Ooijer had a very comfortable game.
Coach Van Marwijk has been criticized by a big part of the Dutch media (and me) for his conservative playing style, but he should be applauded for the change of style by oranje after halftime. Any other coach would have made at least two substitutions after the disastrous first half, but Van Marwijk decided to keep his faith in this team. And the team rewarded him in the second half with the best Dutch performance so far.
Van Marwijk isn’t as quotable as Mourinho, doesn’t have the arrogance of Van Gaal or the charisma of Hiddink and he isn’t a tactical genius like Lippi. But he is a down to earth man, with decent coaching’s skills, who really hates outside distractions. He dealt admirably with possible problems like the ill advised Eljiro Elia internet video at the start of the tournament and the Van Persie/Sneijder saga, and made them seem like insignificant incidents. His mood doesn’t change a lot and always seems to have a calming influence on the team and the ‘outside world’. Also there is no danger Uruguay will be underestimated under Van Marwijk, as he can make his teams focus on their opponents like not many coaches can at this world cup. There is no doubt if his strategy is somewhat more adventurous he would be the perfect fit for this oranje.
The way this Dutch team plays is still a real issue in Holland. Even with the victory against Brazil, the tendency with the Dutch media and pundits is still: ‘we won, but...’. But if Holland actually becomes World Champion, I am sure everyone would forgive Bert, and will be held in very high regard in the Netherlands for the rest of his life.
Also many characterized the win against Brazil team as lucky. I will concede that the football Holland has shown is dull and, against Brazil they were thoroughly outplayed in the first half. But I won’t qualify them as lucky. Lucky how exactly? Where were the rattling crossbars against Brazil? Any clearances of the line? Where were those blown referee calls that benefited Holland? I didn’t see them. Maybe Sneijder’s first goal against Brazil? But wasn’t that the same luck Brazil got with the Dutch scandalous defending of Robinho’s goal? Dull? Yes. Outplayed at times? Definitely so. Lucky? No.
The (casual) fans don’t seem to be bothered by the way Holland win their games as there was a jubilant mood in the country just after the match. The last time there was this aura of happiness and relief Dennis Bergkamp scored his spectacular goal in the quarter finals of the 1998 world cup against Argentina.
On the hottest day of 2010, people were jumping in the (very filthy) Dutch canals and running around naked in our city centers. There is no telling what would happen if by some miracle Gio van Bronckhorst is able to receive the trophy on the 11th of July. Pandemonium, at least.
Golden clog
Although opinions are divided on his performance, I thought Nigel de Jong had a spectacular game. Never lost the ball, expertly patrolled midfield and stole the ball countless of times. For me he was a real Dutch destroyer, and there is no doubt Holland will miss him against Uruguay due to his suspension. I would like to see Van der Vaart at his position but considering Van Marwijk’s conservative ways, Demy de Zeeuw is the odds on favorite to play alongside Van Bommel.
'10 Robinho
'53 Sneijder
'68 Sneijder
First off: Holland had no business being in that game in the first half. Brazil was better on all possible fronts. To be more accurate: Holland made Brazil look very good in the first half, even with this defensive team the ´seleção´ could play cliché jogo bonito and samba football.
In the interval I was considering if I should rush to learn who is riding in the Tour de France or just enjoy the sun. I was completely ready to just forget about the cruel game that is called football and that lot of orange impostors who think of themselves as professional footballers.
The only sound you could hear in the interval around the neighborhood were orange flags flapping in the summer breeze. I was actually surprised that my neighbor wasn’t busy removing the inflatable orange doll sitting on his balcony.
I decided to watch the second half just for a minute to make sure the self embarrassing process would continue. But it was kind of strange to see those orange dudes actually putting some pressure on those blue guys at the beginning of the second half. I made myself sit down and watch until Brazil made it two, what was surely just a matter of time. But then a series of unlikely events happened in quick succession: a mistake by the world’s best goalkeeper, a header by a dwarf, an attempt to amputate a leg (that didn’t injure a ‘man of glass’, what was surely the biggest surprise of the day) and loads of chances missed in the most comical ways possible. Causing me to jump up and down in ecstasy, screaming and sweating like a crazy man and pleading with a Japanese guy, who was 6000 miles away, to blow his whistle for the last time. The most remarkable turnaround in the history of oranje just happened, hours later I still couldn’t believe it.
Dirk Kuyt is surely the embodiment of this team, it’s kind of ugly, bulked up but not very fast, hardworking, you may not want to really see it but in the end he succeeds, well... sort of.
It’s certainly not pretty, the guys who should provide the flashiness: Van Persie, Sneijder, Robben and Van der Vaart haven’t clicked for one minute this world cup, while the blue collar players like De Jong, Van Bommel and Kuyt have earned the wins for oranje. Nobody could have guessed Holland would even get out of the group stage without ‘the big 4’ excelling. The defense which was rightly laughed at before the tournament now is a Dutch strength, proving that team organization is far more important than individually über talented defenders. Speaking of the Dutch defense, surprisingly Brazil was rarely able to trouble the almost retired Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Also if members of this seleção look back at this game, they must be tearing their hair out if they realize that the 36 years old, very slow and unemployed Adre Ooijer had a very comfortable game.
Coach Van Marwijk has been criticized by a big part of the Dutch media (and me) for his conservative playing style, but he should be applauded for the change of style by oranje after halftime. Any other coach would have made at least two substitutions after the disastrous first half, but Van Marwijk decided to keep his faith in this team. And the team rewarded him in the second half with the best Dutch performance so far.
Van Marwijk isn’t as quotable as Mourinho, doesn’t have the arrogance of Van Gaal or the charisma of Hiddink and he isn’t a tactical genius like Lippi. But he is a down to earth man, with decent coaching’s skills, who really hates outside distractions. He dealt admirably with possible problems like the ill advised Eljiro Elia internet video at the start of the tournament and the Van Persie/Sneijder saga, and made them seem like insignificant incidents. His mood doesn’t change a lot and always seems to have a calming influence on the team and the ‘outside world’. Also there is no danger Uruguay will be underestimated under Van Marwijk, as he can make his teams focus on their opponents like not many coaches can at this world cup. There is no doubt if his strategy is somewhat more adventurous he would be the perfect fit for this oranje.
The way this Dutch team plays is still a real issue in Holland. Even with the victory against Brazil, the tendency with the Dutch media and pundits is still: ‘we won, but...’. But if Holland actually becomes World Champion, I am sure everyone would forgive Bert, and will be held in very high regard in the Netherlands for the rest of his life.
Also many characterized the win against Brazil team as lucky. I will concede that the football Holland has shown is dull and, against Brazil they were thoroughly outplayed in the first half. But I won’t qualify them as lucky. Lucky how exactly? Where were the rattling crossbars against Brazil? Any clearances of the line? Where were those blown referee calls that benefited Holland? I didn’t see them. Maybe Sneijder’s first goal against Brazil? But wasn’t that the same luck Brazil got with the Dutch scandalous defending of Robinho’s goal? Dull? Yes. Outplayed at times? Definitely so. Lucky? No.
The (casual) fans don’t seem to be bothered by the way Holland win their games as there was a jubilant mood in the country just after the match. The last time there was this aura of happiness and relief Dennis Bergkamp scored his spectacular goal in the quarter finals of the 1998 world cup against Argentina.
On the hottest day of 2010, people were jumping in the (very filthy) Dutch canals and running around naked in our city centers. There is no telling what would happen if by some miracle Gio van Bronckhorst is able to receive the trophy on the 11th of July. Pandemonium, at least.
Golden clog
Although opinions are divided on his performance, I thought Nigel de Jong had a spectacular game. Never lost the ball, expertly patrolled midfield and stole the ball countless of times. For me he was a real Dutch destroyer, and there is no doubt Holland will miss him against Uruguay due to his suspension. I would like to see Van der Vaart at his position but considering Van Marwijk’s conservative ways, Demy de Zeeuw is the odds on favorite to play alongside Van Bommel.
vrijdag 2 juli 2010
Holland v Brazil pre-match thoughts
All logic points to a Brazil victory here. Brazil has the form, great team play, clinical in front of goal and ruthlessness in defense. This Dutch team hasn't shown any of these qualities so far in this tournament.
This doesn't mean Holland will just lay down and die. But they need a lot of luck and play a perfect game to go through.
Brazil’s main offensive weapons, Maicon, Robinho and Kaka are in prime position to attack the Dutch's weakest parts. Gio van Bronckhorst, who hasn't been tested this World Cup, has an alarming lack of pace and if he comes in 1v1 situation with Maicon, he will probably be destroyed. Bert van Marwijk will try to minimize Gio's problems by putting Dirk Kuyt, with his famous work-ethic, on the left side. Kaka and Robinho will no doubt try to test inexperienced right full back Gregory van der Wiel. Van der Wiel had a very bad game against Slovakia, and it has to be seen how he is going to cope against world class opposition. Don't be surprised if Van Marwijk puts Boulahrouz in for Van der Wiel if it will go bad on the Dutch right side.
The defensive qualities of Brazil are well known, and Holland doesn't have the team at the moment to really test them, apart maybe from Robben if he can go 1v1 against Bastos. I am almost hoping Holland will go behind, forcing Van Marwijk to change his conservative playing style. This will bring in Rafael van der Vaart at one of the holding midfield positions. With his offensive way of playing, good team play with Wesley Sneijder, and his trickery he will give Holland a distinct improvement going forward, and there is no doubt in my mind with this formation Oranje can really trouble Brazil's defense.
Most people in the Netherlands are pretty discouraged about Holland's chances in this game. But they are also curious where Holland stands under Van Marwijk. It's been a long time since Holland played a big game at a big tournament, also Oranje hasn't ever been really tested in their qualifying campaign or even in friendlies. It also will be the very first time that Holland isn't the favorite in a game since 2008, it's hard to say if this a good thing or not.
This game can have a big impact on the future of this Dutch team too. If Holland get embarrassed by Brazil, I can see Bert van Marwijk being done, even though results have been good, but the way of playing under Van Marwijk has been disappointing since the moment he's been hired. But if Holland wins, this can be the blueprint of future Dutch teams.
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt; van Persie
Fearless prediction: 2-1 to Brazil. In the first half I expect a very defensive game. And as long as nobody scores it will continue that way.
Let's hope for an early goal, and a dramatic Dutch victory. But it's probably more realistic to expect Brazil to be just too solid for this Dutch team.
This doesn't mean Holland will just lay down and die. But they need a lot of luck and play a perfect game to go through.
Brazil’s main offensive weapons, Maicon, Robinho and Kaka are in prime position to attack the Dutch's weakest parts. Gio van Bronckhorst, who hasn't been tested this World Cup, has an alarming lack of pace and if he comes in 1v1 situation with Maicon, he will probably be destroyed. Bert van Marwijk will try to minimize Gio's problems by putting Dirk Kuyt, with his famous work-ethic, on the left side. Kaka and Robinho will no doubt try to test inexperienced right full back Gregory van der Wiel. Van der Wiel had a very bad game against Slovakia, and it has to be seen how he is going to cope against world class opposition. Don't be surprised if Van Marwijk puts Boulahrouz in for Van der Wiel if it will go bad on the Dutch right side.
The defensive qualities of Brazil are well known, and Holland doesn't have the team at the moment to really test them, apart maybe from Robben if he can go 1v1 against Bastos. I am almost hoping Holland will go behind, forcing Van Marwijk to change his conservative playing style. This will bring in Rafael van der Vaart at one of the holding midfield positions. With his offensive way of playing, good team play with Wesley Sneijder, and his trickery he will give Holland a distinct improvement going forward, and there is no doubt in my mind with this formation Oranje can really trouble Brazil's defense.
Most people in the Netherlands are pretty discouraged about Holland's chances in this game. But they are also curious where Holland stands under Van Marwijk. It's been a long time since Holland played a big game at a big tournament, also Oranje hasn't ever been really tested in their qualifying campaign or even in friendlies. It also will be the very first time that Holland isn't the favorite in a game since 2008, it's hard to say if this a good thing or not.
This game can have a big impact on the future of this Dutch team too. If Holland get embarrassed by Brazil, I can see Bert van Marwijk being done, even though results have been good, but the way of playing under Van Marwijk has been disappointing since the moment he's been hired. But if Holland wins, this can be the blueprint of future Dutch teams.
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt; van Persie
Fearless prediction: 2-1 to Brazil. In the first half I expect a very defensive game. And as long as nobody scores it will continue that way.
Let's hope for an early goal, and a dramatic Dutch victory. But it's probably more realistic to expect Brazil to be just too solid for this Dutch team.
dinsdag 29 juni 2010
Holland v Slovakia afterthoughts: Confusion
Holland v Slovakia 2-1
'18 Robben
'84 Sneijder
'94 Vittek p
The Netherlands is through to the quarter finals of the World Cup for the first time in 12 years, and just for the 5th time in their rich football history. Historic football powers France, Italy and England are long gone. One of the favorites to win this tournament, Spain, has already lost to some dull neutral outfit. The other favorite, Brazil has drawn a game and got scored on by minnows North Korea. Holland has won all their games and just conceded two penalties.
So why does this current Dutch world cup run feel so unsatisfying? Is it because Holland is known for their attacking style (total football & clockwork orange etc.) and now play a more (cowardly) counterattack football style? Is it because Oranje only has played 'small' football countries like Japan (who look pretty decent) and Slovakia (who beat the current, but admittedly, weakened world champions) this world cup? Is it because the Dutch most well known players: Robin van Persie, Wesly Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben haven't yet produced for the most part, because of poor form or injuries? Is it because of the unproven back four, who despite their decent performances are still characterized as a weakness? Is it because Maarten Stekelenburg isn't Edwin van der Sar?
Here in Holland, a pundit answered this question:"Did Holland deserve to win against Slovakia?", with a very tentative:"...I don't know, maybe yes...". The commentator of today's game, seemed to have forgotten that Maarten Stekelenburg was actually there to try to stop the Slovaks from scoring, and was concentrating more on how these Slovak amateurs (he didn't actually say 'amateurs', but the dismissive tone of his voice said enough) got a chance to shoot at all. After the match Maarten Stekelenburg was praised for 'saving' Holland. The fact that the Slovak goalkeeper actually saved his side in the early stages of the second half was forgotten. After the game the mood was very strange: there seemed to be a sense that Holland was lucky to go through.
The Dutch papers described this performance as decent but unconvincing. Most journalists have a difficult time covering this Dutch World Cup run. They seem somewhat confused.
The whole of Holland seems a bit confused really: should we be happy we are quarter finalists or should we be mad that our performances are bad and boring? The most confusing aspect is the style Holland plays now: it's not Dutch. To be more accurate it is not Cruijffian. Since his early playing days Johan Cruijff and also coach Rinus Michels have had such big influence in the way Oranje plays. Young kids are taught football in their spirit of fluent attacking football and dominating opponents by keeping the ball rather then stopping the other team from playing. The Dutch team lived and flourished with their way of football in the seventies and died with it in the early eighties. Thankfully Oranje came back in the nineties, again with Cruijff's style.
The way the team of today plays, is what we would normally consider German football of the eighties and nineties. This consideration is usually only used to insult people! But now we are talking about our national pride playing German retro style football: should we bash it while we are winning? Or should we embrace it because we are winning? There is no Dutch genreally accpted answer at the moment.
More questions without answers: Does this Oranje try to play this counterattack style football? Or is it worse: do we try to play 'normal' attacking football, but for some horrible unknown reason the result is some workmanlike struggle?
At Euro 2008, Holland played very attacking football under Marco van Basten. Van Basten, former great player and a Cruijff disciple, was a very inexperienced and naive coach at the time. After two emphatic but somewhat lucky wins against Italy and France, Holland got absolutely destroyed by Russia, who expertly used the (acres of) space that Oranje left due to their attacking playing style. The way Holland got eliminated was the main reason the Dutch FA chose the more conservative Bert van Marwijk to succeed Van Basten. Under Van Marwijk Holland qualified for this World Cup with ease, but without ever playing very good football: not in qualifiers nor in friendlies. So what we are seeing now, shouldn't be a real surprise. But still a lot of people here just miss our Dutch style: playing tremendously exciting football, receiving all kinds of praise from all over the World and then losing in the most excruciating fashion, receiving all kinds of sympathy from all over the World: just like in Euro 2008.
Maybe we will just have to get used to it: this is the kind of football we will see under Van Marwijk's reign. But if Holland loses to Brazil, which wouldn't be a surprise, I predict the reaction will be quite extreme. In the Netherlands a loss is acceptable but only if we have shown the World how to play attractive football. On Friday there is a real possibility we will go out without ever playing anything near Dutch football this world cup: this may be a very hard reality to accept.
Golden Clog
Two players win the coveted Golden Clog this time: Arjen Robben for just being spectacular and Maarten Stekelenburg for making people forget about Edwin van der Sar.
'18 Robben
'84 Sneijder
'94 Vittek p
The Netherlands is through to the quarter finals of the World Cup for the first time in 12 years, and just for the 5th time in their rich football history. Historic football powers France, Italy and England are long gone. One of the favorites to win this tournament, Spain, has already lost to some dull neutral outfit. The other favorite, Brazil has drawn a game and got scored on by minnows North Korea. Holland has won all their games and just conceded two penalties.
So why does this current Dutch world cup run feel so unsatisfying? Is it because Holland is known for their attacking style (total football & clockwork orange etc.) and now play a more (cowardly) counterattack football style? Is it because Oranje only has played 'small' football countries like Japan (who look pretty decent) and Slovakia (who beat the current, but admittedly, weakened world champions) this world cup? Is it because the Dutch most well known players: Robin van Persie, Wesly Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben haven't yet produced for the most part, because of poor form or injuries? Is it because of the unproven back four, who despite their decent performances are still characterized as a weakness? Is it because Maarten Stekelenburg isn't Edwin van der Sar?
Here in Holland, a pundit answered this question:"Did Holland deserve to win against Slovakia?", with a very tentative:"...I don't know, maybe yes...". The commentator of today's game, seemed to have forgotten that Maarten Stekelenburg was actually there to try to stop the Slovaks from scoring, and was concentrating more on how these Slovak amateurs (he didn't actually say 'amateurs', but the dismissive tone of his voice said enough) got a chance to shoot at all. After the match Maarten Stekelenburg was praised for 'saving' Holland. The fact that the Slovak goalkeeper actually saved his side in the early stages of the second half was forgotten. After the game the mood was very strange: there seemed to be a sense that Holland was lucky to go through.
The Dutch papers described this performance as decent but unconvincing. Most journalists have a difficult time covering this Dutch World Cup run. They seem somewhat confused.
The whole of Holland seems a bit confused really: should we be happy we are quarter finalists or should we be mad that our performances are bad and boring? The most confusing aspect is the style Holland plays now: it's not Dutch. To be more accurate it is not Cruijffian. Since his early playing days Johan Cruijff and also coach Rinus Michels have had such big influence in the way Oranje plays. Young kids are taught football in their spirit of fluent attacking football and dominating opponents by keeping the ball rather then stopping the other team from playing. The Dutch team lived and flourished with their way of football in the seventies and died with it in the early eighties. Thankfully Oranje came back in the nineties, again with Cruijff's style.
The way the team of today plays, is what we would normally consider German football of the eighties and nineties. This consideration is usually only used to insult people! But now we are talking about our national pride playing German retro style football: should we bash it while we are winning? Or should we embrace it because we are winning? There is no Dutch genreally accpted answer at the moment.
More questions without answers: Does this Oranje try to play this counterattack style football? Or is it worse: do we try to play 'normal' attacking football, but for some horrible unknown reason the result is some workmanlike struggle?
At Euro 2008, Holland played very attacking football under Marco van Basten. Van Basten, former great player and a Cruijff disciple, was a very inexperienced and naive coach at the time. After two emphatic but somewhat lucky wins against Italy and France, Holland got absolutely destroyed by Russia, who expertly used the (acres of) space that Oranje left due to their attacking playing style. The way Holland got eliminated was the main reason the Dutch FA chose the more conservative Bert van Marwijk to succeed Van Basten. Under Van Marwijk Holland qualified for this World Cup with ease, but without ever playing very good football: not in qualifiers nor in friendlies. So what we are seeing now, shouldn't be a real surprise. But still a lot of people here just miss our Dutch style: playing tremendously exciting football, receiving all kinds of praise from all over the World and then losing in the most excruciating fashion, receiving all kinds of sympathy from all over the World: just like in Euro 2008.
Maybe we will just have to get used to it: this is the kind of football we will see under Van Marwijk's reign. But if Holland loses to Brazil, which wouldn't be a surprise, I predict the reaction will be quite extreme. In the Netherlands a loss is acceptable but only if we have shown the World how to play attractive football. On Friday there is a real possibility we will go out without ever playing anything near Dutch football this world cup: this may be a very hard reality to accept.
Golden Clog
Two players win the coveted Golden Clog this time: Arjen Robben for just being spectacular and Maarten Stekelenburg for making people forget about Edwin van der Sar.
maandag 28 juni 2010
Holland v Slovakia pre match thoughts: Divisiveness
Thoughts from a Dutch perspective:
Happy thoughts:
Looking just at the players for Oranje and Slovakia there is really no comparison: almost all Dutchmen play for big European clubs like Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich the Slovakian players play for Ankaragucu, Spartak Trnava and Dundee United (yes, I know some of them also play for some decent sides, but this increases the effect).
While the Dutch team hasn't played anything near good football, they won all their games quite easily. And for some strange reason, opponents have found it very hard to score against a defense where 35 year old (and slow footed) Giovanni van Bronckhorst is part of.
Rafael van der Vaart looks doubtful for this game but Oranje has plenty options for his replacement. Eljiro Elia and Ibrahim Afellay both are in good form and they both will add speed to this Dutch team, something that is lacking when van der Vaart plays.
Robben is back and looks ready. He probably won't start but look for him to come on early in the second half, especially if, against all odds, it is all going wrong versus the Slovaks. This is an enormous luxury for van Marwijk: few teams can bring in a player of such ability. And even if he doesn't play well he will draw defenders to him, changing the game instantly.
Some popular pundits here in Holland, who presumably know what they are talking about since they are being paid to speak a bit about football, are absolutely convinced this Holland are going to tear the Slovaks apart and will win 3-0 maybe even 4-0. Yes, the Holland team that hasn't created a lot more then 4 chances this whole world cup...But these pundits must know what they are talking about, right?
Bad thoughts
Here is where divisiveness sets in, because not so popular pundits like top Chelsea scout Piet de Visser are predicting a very tough game. Slovakia are a very physical team and against such teams Holland historically struggles mightily.
I can't remember any games where the so called experts are so divided: you hardly can make sense of it all. I may go with the more serious experts here, and will be expecting a difficult game.
Marek Hamsik, arguably Slovakia's best player, is a type of player that will trouble Holland. While he and Andry Arshavin are hardly the same type but they both have excellent movement without the ball. (Arshavin was of course the player that destroyed Holland at Euro 2008). Hamsik will look to exploit the space left behind Holland's attacking full backs.
Slovakia has nothing to lose. They already overachieved by beating World Champion Italy, and have no incentive to play attacking football, making life easy for Oranje. Slovak moral will be high, and upsetting a 'big' football country like Holland will be the ultimate motivation for them.
If Holland might be so lucky to advance to the quarter finals, they will probably be without one or two key players. The referee Aberto Undiano was the one who, like a grumpy tax inspector punished every foul with a booking at the Germany- Serbia game, and also sent off Klose very harshly. Since six Dutch players are already on a booking, chances are that they will be missing a few important players against (probably) Brazil. And this Dutch squad isn't deep at all, so missing just a few players may cause huge problems.
van der Wiel, van Bronckhorst, de Jong, van der Vaart, van Persie & Kuyt are on a booking
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, Elia; van Persie
Fearless prediction: Holland will win 2-1. It will be a cagy (some would say boring) game with very few chances. But somehow Holland will find a way to win. This isn't your father's Oranje, with total football and clockwork orange and all that. This is the way Holland plays under van Marwijk, sadly we have to deal with it.
Happy thoughts:
Looking just at the players for Oranje and Slovakia there is really no comparison: almost all Dutchmen play for big European clubs like Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich the Slovakian players play for Ankaragucu, Spartak Trnava and Dundee United (yes, I know some of them also play for some decent sides, but this increases the effect).
While the Dutch team hasn't played anything near good football, they won all their games quite easily. And for some strange reason, opponents have found it very hard to score against a defense where 35 year old (and slow footed) Giovanni van Bronckhorst is part of.
Rafael van der Vaart looks doubtful for this game but Oranje has plenty options for his replacement. Eljiro Elia and Ibrahim Afellay both are in good form and they both will add speed to this Dutch team, something that is lacking when van der Vaart plays.
Robben is back and looks ready. He probably won't start but look for him to come on early in the second half, especially if, against all odds, it is all going wrong versus the Slovaks. This is an enormous luxury for van Marwijk: few teams can bring in a player of such ability. And even if he doesn't play well he will draw defenders to him, changing the game instantly.
Some popular pundits here in Holland, who presumably know what they are talking about since they are being paid to speak a bit about football, are absolutely convinced this Holland are going to tear the Slovaks apart and will win 3-0 maybe even 4-0. Yes, the Holland team that hasn't created a lot more then 4 chances this whole world cup...But these pundits must know what they are talking about, right?
Bad thoughts
Here is where divisiveness sets in, because not so popular pundits like top Chelsea scout Piet de Visser are predicting a very tough game. Slovakia are a very physical team and against such teams Holland historically struggles mightily.
I can't remember any games where the so called experts are so divided: you hardly can make sense of it all. I may go with the more serious experts here, and will be expecting a difficult game.
Marek Hamsik, arguably Slovakia's best player, is a type of player that will trouble Holland. While he and Andry Arshavin are hardly the same type but they both have excellent movement without the ball. (Arshavin was of course the player that destroyed Holland at Euro 2008). Hamsik will look to exploit the space left behind Holland's attacking full backs.
Slovakia has nothing to lose. They already overachieved by beating World Champion Italy, and have no incentive to play attacking football, making life easy for Oranje. Slovak moral will be high, and upsetting a 'big' football country like Holland will be the ultimate motivation for them.
If Holland might be so lucky to advance to the quarter finals, they will probably be without one or two key players. The referee Aberto Undiano was the one who, like a grumpy tax inspector punished every foul with a booking at the Germany- Serbia game, and also sent off Klose very harshly. Since six Dutch players are already on a booking, chances are that they will be missing a few important players against (probably) Brazil. And this Dutch squad isn't deep at all, so missing just a few players may cause huge problems.
van der Wiel, van Bronckhorst, de Jong, van der Vaart, van Persie & Kuyt are on a booking
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, Elia; van Persie
Fearless prediction: Holland will win 2-1. It will be a cagy (some would say boring) game with very few chances. But somehow Holland will find a way to win. This isn't your father's Oranje, with total football and clockwork orange and all that. This is the way Holland plays under van Marwijk, sadly we have to deal with it.
zondag 27 juni 2010
Guus Hiddink pleads for video arbitration
This is part of Guus Hiddink’s column in the Dutch paper De Telegraaf where he pleads for video arbitration translated in English.
Here is a link to Hiddink’s column in De Telegraaf (in Dutch) on 26th of June 2009: http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/article7046840.ece
Hiddink: If this World Cup has made one thing clear, then it is that we can no longer do without video arbitration at this level. I am hoping that the Special Player Commission of the Fifa will begin introducing this (video arbitration) immediately after this World Cup. It is the group with football icons such as Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruijff, who raise relevant matters to the world football federation. They are also the suitable persons to press for video arbitration.
Hiddink continues: Only men such as Beckenbauer and Cruijff are able to shake up the gentlemen of the executive comity. Because also in South Africa it has become clear, the way it is now, is no longer possible. After all the misery around the France-Ireland game, also during this World Cup matters have occurred that have nothing to do with sportsmanship. The double hand ball, from which Fabiano scored against Ivory Coast, has influenced the situation in group G decisively. Then we have the matter concerning the Americans, who only survived thanks to their iron will, where other countries may have mentally snapped after their undeserved disapproved goal.
Hiddink ends with a plea: Therefore I plead for the rapid introduction of video arbitration, just for goals. That would be a beginning. It only may cost up to ten seconds and will prevent much misery. Therefore Johan and Franz: get on to it.
Here is a link to Hiddink’s column in De Telegraaf (in Dutch) on 26th of June 2009: http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/article7046840.ece
Hiddink: If this World Cup has made one thing clear, then it is that we can no longer do without video arbitration at this level. I am hoping that the Special Player Commission of the Fifa will begin introducing this (video arbitration) immediately after this World Cup. It is the group with football icons such as Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruijff, who raise relevant matters to the world football federation. They are also the suitable persons to press for video arbitration.
Hiddink continues: Only men such as Beckenbauer and Cruijff are able to shake up the gentlemen of the executive comity. Because also in South Africa it has become clear, the way it is now, is no longer possible. After all the misery around the France-Ireland game, also during this World Cup matters have occurred that have nothing to do with sportsmanship. The double hand ball, from which Fabiano scored against Ivory Coast, has influenced the situation in group G decisively. Then we have the matter concerning the Americans, who only survived thanks to their iron will, where other countries may have mentally snapped after their undeserved disapproved goal.
Hiddink ends with a plea: Therefore I plead for the rapid introduction of video arbitration, just for goals. That would be a beginning. It only may cost up to ten seconds and will prevent much misery. Therefore Johan and Franz: get on to it.
donderdag 24 juni 2010
Holland v Cameroon afterthoughts: Arjen's tears
Holland v Cameroon 2-1
'36 van Persie
'65 Eto'o p
'83 Huntelaar
Negative:
Really concerning was the lack of control the Dutch had in the game. However bad the games v Denmark and Japan were, the team always had control of the game. Especially in possession Oranje was really sloppy with very few players able to get open to receive a pass.
Cameroon looked very dangerous and Holland wasn't able to press them and force them into mistakes.
What does this game mean? Was Cameroon just a team in disarray or was this an honorable last effort by the the untamable lions? Holland played three games and I think nobody knows how good this team is.
Positive
Interviews by players and managers just after the game are usually totally useless to me, where you have to watch yourself not to get hit by cliches. But this time I was really glad Bert van Marwijk said this: "This game was the least of all the games we played." Heitinga:"this wasn't very good." Players and the coach realizing this isn't good enough to get past the second round makes me less nervous.
Although Cameroon looked dangerous, if you think about it, they didn't create one clear-cut chance.
Robin van Persie looked a lot better today, his goal will give him some confidence needed for the upcoming game(s).
Obviously Robben coming back is huge, and his speed and technique will give this Holland team a whole new dimension going forward. A nice emotional moment was Robben being teary eyed just after the game while he was interviewed. He praised the other players for their support, underlining once more that this is a good team where the mood is very friendly. And while this hasn't resulted in good play the players showed they are willing to fight for each other (and not bash each others brains in, which is a nice change).
Cloden Clog
Mark van Bommel in once again the winner. Never loses the ball, some great passes and expertly patrolled the area just in front of the centre backs. He also was his lovable irritating self, making opponents go crazy. Honorable mention: Nigel de Jong.
'36 van Persie
'65 Eto'o p
'83 Huntelaar
Negative:
Really concerning was the lack of control the Dutch had in the game. However bad the games v Denmark and Japan were, the team always had control of the game. Especially in possession Oranje was really sloppy with very few players able to get open to receive a pass.
Cameroon looked very dangerous and Holland wasn't able to press them and force them into mistakes.
What does this game mean? Was Cameroon just a team in disarray or was this an honorable last effort by the the untamable lions? Holland played three games and I think nobody knows how good this team is.
Positive
Interviews by players and managers just after the game are usually totally useless to me, where you have to watch yourself not to get hit by cliches. But this time I was really glad Bert van Marwijk said this: "This game was the least of all the games we played." Heitinga:"this wasn't very good." Players and the coach realizing this isn't good enough to get past the second round makes me less nervous.
Although Cameroon looked dangerous, if you think about it, they didn't create one clear-cut chance.
Robin van Persie looked a lot better today, his goal will give him some confidence needed for the upcoming game(s).
Obviously Robben coming back is huge, and his speed and technique will give this Holland team a whole new dimension going forward. A nice emotional moment was Robben being teary eyed just after the game while he was interviewed. He praised the other players for their support, underlining once more that this is a good team where the mood is very friendly. And while this hasn't resulted in good play the players showed they are willing to fight for each other (and not bash each others brains in, which is a nice change).
Cloden Clog
Mark van Bommel in once again the winner. Never loses the ball, some great passes and expertly patrolled the area just in front of the centre backs. He also was his lovable irritating self, making opponents go crazy. Honorable mention: Nigel de Jong.
Friendly: Holland v Cameroon quick pre-match thoughts
Just some quick thoughts from a Dutch perspective:
I t's hard to do well against an opponent like Cameroon, who are in disarray and already eliminated:
- if Holland wins: it doesn't mean anything because of the current state of the opponent
- if Holland draws: "pfff, you can only draw against Cameroon?"
- if Holland loses: all kinds of alarm bells will go off in this scenario
I am looking for an improved performance by Oranje, after their solid but, in my honest opinion, horrible games against Denmark and Japan it's important to get a more positive outing. Especially going forward you would like to see some better teamwork, and for Robin van Persie to get some more confidence.
Arjen Robben is a tricky case for coach Bert van Marwijk; Robben could use a game to improve his match-fitness but with his injury history, should he be risked? Robben won't start against Cameroon but I think van Marwijk will bring him on in the second half. I don't think Bert reads my blog, but I would like to say to him, the last 2 games where Robben came on in the second half (against Frankfurt with Bayern Munich and against Hungary) he got injured. This might just be a coincidence but would you really like to risk it in a game that in essence doesn't mean anything? I would say no.
So no (Robben) injuries, no suspensions and a better performance; that would be a perfect friendly match at the Worldcup.
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; Bouhlarouz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronkhorst; van Bommel, de Zeeuw; Kuyt, Sneijder, van der Vaart; van Persie
Fearless prediction: 3-1 to Holland. Will be more open in comparison with Denmark and Japan games with chances on both ends.
I t's hard to do well against an opponent like Cameroon, who are in disarray and already eliminated:
- if Holland wins: it doesn't mean anything because of the current state of the opponent
- if Holland draws: "pfff, you can only draw against Cameroon?"
- if Holland loses: all kinds of alarm bells will go off in this scenario
I am looking for an improved performance by Oranje, after their solid but, in my honest opinion, horrible games against Denmark and Japan it's important to get a more positive outing. Especially going forward you would like to see some better teamwork, and for Robin van Persie to get some more confidence.
Arjen Robben is a tricky case for coach Bert van Marwijk; Robben could use a game to improve his match-fitness but with his injury history, should he be risked? Robben won't start against Cameroon but I think van Marwijk will bring him on in the second half. I don't think Bert reads my blog, but I would like to say to him, the last 2 games where Robben came on in the second half (against Frankfurt with Bayern Munich and against Hungary) he got injured. This might just be a coincidence but would you really like to risk it in a game that in essence doesn't mean anything? I would say no.
So no (Robben) injuries, no suspensions and a better performance; that would be a perfect friendly match at the Worldcup.
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; Bouhlarouz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronkhorst; van Bommel, de Zeeuw; Kuyt, Sneijder, van der Vaart; van Persie
Fearless prediction: 3-1 to Holland. Will be more open in comparison with Denmark and Japan games with chances on both ends.
maandag 21 juni 2010
Alien invasion: Dour Dutch Football
Something funny is going on in the land of clogs, windmills, tulips, liberal drugs-policy and beautiful inventive football. I am not one who believes in alien conspiracies but what’s happening here is odd and even a bit scary: Oranje playing horrible football and then winning is one thing, but the reaction of the national media and pundits is downright surprising if not totally illogical. I know it sounds mad but this reeks of an alien invasion of dour football…
We Dutch like to whine about all kinds of things even if there is nothing to whine about. And let’s be honest here: the football our national pride produces is lifeless, slow, unimaginative and dull: plenty to whine about, right? But apparently the aliens have already taken possession of our national papers. Look at their opinions of the sleeping medicine that was Holland- Japan: “To the next round, without even playing football!” Algemeen Dagblad screams. “Job Done!” celebrates de Telegraaf. The nation’s most whiny paper, de Volkskrant, is conveniently occupied with the some French affair, not even mentioning the Dutch team on the front page.
Our most well known and powerful pundits, Johan Derksen and Hugo Borst normally are both overcritical on anything and everybody but now they are soft as tissue paper. Derksen, former professional footballer turned chief-editor of a football magazine, doesn’t ever agree with anyone on anything but now thinks the Dutch team turning into a bad copy of the most dull and dour German teams who won world cups (teams, we Dutch used to hate and spit at) is perfectly sensible. Borst says it’s about time that we let go of Johan Cruyff’s ideas about attacking football, telling us that those days have passed. It wouldn’t surprise me if the aliens had abducted Cruyff because he has been mysteriously quiet, what is a complete reversal of his normal ways. Former Dutch great Willem van Hanegem, Cruyff adept and now pundit, was very critical on Saturday, telling us that he was so disgusted he refused to watch the end of the Japan game. This apparently displeased the alien leadership causing them to somehow torture poor Willem, because in his Monday column he wrote: “Oranje is a team now and has a 90 % chance to reach the final,” and he also thinks we are better than Brazil. Pretty scary no?
The Dutch team has already changed in mysterious ways since Bert van Marwijk took over in 2008. First there was the qualifying group which was just too easy. Scotland and Norway as strongest opposition? That never used to happen to us. Even stranger is the mood in the Dutch team, no infighting and everybody seems to get along. What’s this? Even Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie who were ready to chop each other into bits at Euro 2008, now seem possessed in some way and are almost holding hands. And just look at the games Holland played this World Cup, three very lucky goals scored and 0 (zero!) goals against. This is the complete opposite of everything that’s normal.
I don’t know what the alien’s demands are or where they come from but I suspect former bondscoaches Dick Advocaat and Leo Beenhakker are part of the alien propaganda machine because they are telling everyone who wants to listen: “It’s all fantastic; it’s all going to be all right.” Trust me, this isn’t Dutch and isn’t all right at all. In normal times we should be panicking and tearing this Dutch team to shreds but not now we have to be happy to be winning, and we have to learn from the past. But what’s wrong with a small country playing the most beautiful footy, losing in excruciating ways and winning only the sympathy prize? This is what the world knows us for; this is why the world likes us. But in the new age of realistic and dour football, apparently only results count.
I don’t know if I can agree with all this… although if (and this is a big if) somehow Holland will become world champion paying dour football, I can’t guarantee I will not celebrate a little…oh wait, does this mean they have gotten to me too?
We Dutch like to whine about all kinds of things even if there is nothing to whine about. And let’s be honest here: the football our national pride produces is lifeless, slow, unimaginative and dull: plenty to whine about, right? But apparently the aliens have already taken possession of our national papers. Look at their opinions of the sleeping medicine that was Holland- Japan: “To the next round, without even playing football!” Algemeen Dagblad screams. “Job Done!” celebrates de Telegraaf. The nation’s most whiny paper, de Volkskrant, is conveniently occupied with the some French affair, not even mentioning the Dutch team on the front page.
Our most well known and powerful pundits, Johan Derksen and Hugo Borst normally are both overcritical on anything and everybody but now they are soft as tissue paper. Derksen, former professional footballer turned chief-editor of a football magazine, doesn’t ever agree with anyone on anything but now thinks the Dutch team turning into a bad copy of the most dull and dour German teams who won world cups (teams, we Dutch used to hate and spit at) is perfectly sensible. Borst says it’s about time that we let go of Johan Cruyff’s ideas about attacking football, telling us that those days have passed. It wouldn’t surprise me if the aliens had abducted Cruyff because he has been mysteriously quiet, what is a complete reversal of his normal ways. Former Dutch great Willem van Hanegem, Cruyff adept and now pundit, was very critical on Saturday, telling us that he was so disgusted he refused to watch the end of the Japan game. This apparently displeased the alien leadership causing them to somehow torture poor Willem, because in his Monday column he wrote: “Oranje is a team now and has a 90 % chance to reach the final,” and he also thinks we are better than Brazil. Pretty scary no?
The Dutch team has already changed in mysterious ways since Bert van Marwijk took over in 2008. First there was the qualifying group which was just too easy. Scotland and Norway as strongest opposition? That never used to happen to us. Even stranger is the mood in the Dutch team, no infighting and everybody seems to get along. What’s this? Even Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie who were ready to chop each other into bits at Euro 2008, now seem possessed in some way and are almost holding hands. And just look at the games Holland played this World Cup, three very lucky goals scored and 0 (zero!) goals against. This is the complete opposite of everything that’s normal.
I don’t know what the alien’s demands are or where they come from but I suspect former bondscoaches Dick Advocaat and Leo Beenhakker are part of the alien propaganda machine because they are telling everyone who wants to listen: “It’s all fantastic; it’s all going to be all right.” Trust me, this isn’t Dutch and isn’t all right at all. In normal times we should be panicking and tearing this Dutch team to shreds but not now we have to be happy to be winning, and we have to learn from the past. But what’s wrong with a small country playing the most beautiful footy, losing in excruciating ways and winning only the sympathy prize? This is what the world knows us for; this is why the world likes us. But in the new age of realistic and dour football, apparently only results count.
I don’t know if I can agree with all this… although if (and this is a big if) somehow Holland will become world champion paying dour football, I can’t guarantee I will not celebrate a little…oh wait, does this mean they have gotten to me too?
zaterdag 19 juni 2010
Holland v Japan afterthoughts: this is not Dutch!
Holland v Japan 1-0
'53 Sneijder
Again horrible performance, Holland just can't deal with teams who park the bus. Can't keep the ball, can't get ball in dangerous positions, no inspiration, no imagination, no speed, no nothing (except lots of possession which in someway can't be used).
It will be wrong though, to focus on one team. Japan parked the bus in an intelligent way and Oranje just can't deal with that. I don't blame Japan for that, if they attack they are going to get hammered. They played tactically very disciplined and as always they've got great fitness levels. They even created a big chance at the end of the game to snatch a deserved draw. Because in my opinion nobody deserved to win this game.
This will sound like an excuse but I found it remarkable that superb technical players like van Persie, Sneijder, van der Vaart and the night before Rooney, have trouble controlling the ball. I don't know why, is it the horrible state of the field, wrong shoes or did they eat too much bobotie? I don't know...it's just very strange.
Yes Holland won but I really don't want them to win like this. It's just not Dutch. Beautiful football with lots of chances and losing on penalties in the quarter finals is as Dutch as clogs, cheese, windmills, liberal drugs policy and red-light districts. And call me old fashioned but I like it that way. This is way too Italian or even worse: German!
I have to scrape to find anything positive but lets try. Holland hasn't conceded anything, their best player (Arjen Robben) hasn't played yet and they won two games at a worldcup without playing one minute of good football. And I guess we should feel better than the English, Germans, French and even the Spanish.
Golden Clog
Mark van Bommel was the best player on the field. Never loses the ball, plays very smart and never lets the team down.
'53 Sneijder
Again horrible performance, Holland just can't deal with teams who park the bus. Can't keep the ball, can't get ball in dangerous positions, no inspiration, no imagination, no speed, no nothing (except lots of possession which in someway can't be used).
It will be wrong though, to focus on one team. Japan parked the bus in an intelligent way and Oranje just can't deal with that. I don't blame Japan for that, if they attack they are going to get hammered. They played tactically very disciplined and as always they've got great fitness levels. They even created a big chance at the end of the game to snatch a deserved draw. Because in my opinion nobody deserved to win this game.
This will sound like an excuse but I found it remarkable that superb technical players like van Persie, Sneijder, van der Vaart and the night before Rooney, have trouble controlling the ball. I don't know why, is it the horrible state of the field, wrong shoes or did they eat too much bobotie? I don't know...it's just very strange.
Yes Holland won but I really don't want them to win like this. It's just not Dutch. Beautiful football with lots of chances and losing on penalties in the quarter finals is as Dutch as clogs, cheese, windmills, liberal drugs policy and red-light districts. And call me old fashioned but I like it that way. This is way too Italian or even worse: German!
I have to scrape to find anything positive but lets try. Holland hasn't conceded anything, their best player (Arjen Robben) hasn't played yet and they won two games at a worldcup without playing one minute of good football. And I guess we should feel better than the English, Germans, French and even the Spanish.
Golden Clog
Mark van Bommel was the best player on the field. Never loses the ball, plays very smart and never lets the team down.
Holland v Japan quick pre-match thoughts
Thoughts from a Dutch perspective.
Happy thoughts
With the Dutch performance against Denmark being really slow and uninspired, it surely can only get better.
(but after seeing England yesterday, I am not so sure anymore)
Here in Holland the play of Rafael van der Vaart was heavily criticized, because he went inside too much, clogging up midfield. And although he didn't play well, the real problem was a lack of width on the left that Gio van Bronkhorst should provide. But against Denmark Gio was unwilling or unable to provide that. With van Bronkhorst suffering from a terrible lack of pace and defensive skills it's perhaps understandable that he wouldn't risk it against his direct opponent, the pacy Dennis Rommendahl. Daisuke Matsui, who presumably will be van Bronkhorst's next direct opponent, isn't as scary and Gio should be able to get forward a lot more creating another option in attack.
Against Denmark Eljiro Elia and Ibrahim Affelay came in and caused all sorts of problems for the Danes. When things get pear-shaped v Japan they should both be able to provide some new options in attack for Holland.
Holland defensive record is (surprisingly) outstanding and other then a Bendtner header, Denmark never looked liked scoring. I don't see how Holland will concede more than one goal against Japan.
Bad thoughts
At the 9th of September 2009 Japan played Holland of the park (yes you read it correctly)and should have won. Somehow Holland won that game 3-0. Their aggressive high pressure game gave the Dutch all they could handle and Oranje didn't create one chance in the first half.
Japan recently changed their playing style, playing with an '11 man behind the ball' strategy instead of pressuring high up the pitch. Either way they will be aggressive and their fitness levels will be excellent.
Nigel de Jong and Wesley Sneijder should both have been sent off in the Japan friendly. Undoubtedly Japan's style frustrated them to no end. I fear Nigel de Jong could launch in to a poor Japanese guy picking up a red card if things don't go well.
While Oranje has enough attacking options on the bench, defensively this isn't the case. If Johnny Heitinga or Joris Mathijssen get injured, Andre Ooijer will come in. That's right; the ancient, not employed by a professional football club, flexible like a double-decker bus, Andre Ooijer.
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronkhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, van der Vaart; van Persie
Fearless prediction: 2-0 to Holland. Difficult, scrappy game with few chances, but somehow Holland will find a way to win. Can't see Japan scoring.
Happy thoughts
With the Dutch performance against Denmark being really slow and uninspired, it surely can only get better.
(but after seeing England yesterday, I am not so sure anymore)
Here in Holland the play of Rafael van der Vaart was heavily criticized, because he went inside too much, clogging up midfield. And although he didn't play well, the real problem was a lack of width on the left that Gio van Bronkhorst should provide. But against Denmark Gio was unwilling or unable to provide that. With van Bronkhorst suffering from a terrible lack of pace and defensive skills it's perhaps understandable that he wouldn't risk it against his direct opponent, the pacy Dennis Rommendahl. Daisuke Matsui, who presumably will be van Bronkhorst's next direct opponent, isn't as scary and Gio should be able to get forward a lot more creating another option in attack.
Against Denmark Eljiro Elia and Ibrahim Affelay came in and caused all sorts of problems for the Danes. When things get pear-shaped v Japan they should both be able to provide some new options in attack for Holland.
Holland defensive record is (surprisingly) outstanding and other then a Bendtner header, Denmark never looked liked scoring. I don't see how Holland will concede more than one goal against Japan.
Bad thoughts
At the 9th of September 2009 Japan played Holland of the park (yes you read it correctly)and should have won. Somehow Holland won that game 3-0. Their aggressive high pressure game gave the Dutch all they could handle and Oranje didn't create one chance in the first half.
Japan recently changed their playing style, playing with an '11 man behind the ball' strategy instead of pressuring high up the pitch. Either way they will be aggressive and their fitness levels will be excellent.
Nigel de Jong and Wesley Sneijder should both have been sent off in the Japan friendly. Undoubtedly Japan's style frustrated them to no end. I fear Nigel de Jong could launch in to a poor Japanese guy picking up a red card if things don't go well.
While Oranje has enough attacking options on the bench, defensively this isn't the case. If Johnny Heitinga or Joris Mathijssen get injured, Andre Ooijer will come in. That's right; the ancient, not employed by a professional football club, flexible like a double-decker bus, Andre Ooijer.
Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronkhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, van der Vaart; van Persie
Fearless prediction: 2-0 to Holland. Difficult, scrappy game with few chances, but somehow Holland will find a way to win. Can't see Japan scoring.
maandag 14 juni 2010
Holland v Denmark afterthoughts
Holland v Denmark 2-0
'46 Agger og
'85 Kuyt
Afterthoughts
Big up for Denmark's coach recognizing the Dutch's weakness: no speed in attack. While making the playing-field very small he caused Holland difficulties combining in midfield.
Expect Elia to play against Japan. Van der Vaart will probably be dropped but in my mind he didn't play worse then van Persie, Sneijder or Kuyt.
In Holland there is a thought that Sneijder and van der Vaart can't play together. I disagree but they need at least one speedster (Elia or Robben) on the wing to create space in midfield.
Keep in mind: Rafael van der Vaart is my favorite player and he will no doubt be sacrificed if Bert van Marwijk decides to bring Elia in. Making me sad...
Van Persie didn't play very well, which was a surprise to me and many others. But I don't doubt he is going to have a great tournament, especially when Robben comes in (creating acres of space for RVP).
Big plus was Holland's defensive organization (including van Bommel en de Jong). Denmark didn't have a clear-cut chance in the game and I can't remember a shot by a Danish player in the second half.
Gio van Bronkhorst didn't look great but the Danes failed to take advantage.
The assumption in Holland is: Oranje can't win if they play badly. Well...this performance was very bad and they won. This can be a positive sign...sort of...
I realize it looks like I am spinning an horrible and lucky win into a positive. But if you look back at Dutch teams in the recent past they always lost (Belgium 1994, England 1996, Ireland 2001, Portugal 2004 & 2006, Russia 2008) or drew (Scotland 1996, Belgium 1998, Germany 2004) when they had bad performances.
Some players said the altitude caused them to tire very quickly making it impossible to play the high pressure style which van Marwijk likes to play. Also a lot of crosses and long passes were overhit (just like in the Argentina-Nigeria game). Let's hope over time the Dutch squad will get used to the altitude. Their next game, however, is in Durban (at sea-level) against Japan. I think Holland will play much better there, due to the opponent, playing at sea level and the inclusion of Elia and maybe Robben in the team.
Golden Clog (award for best Dutch player)
The winner of my first Golden Clog is a duo: Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel. They bossed the midfield and won the ball back countless times.
'46 Agger og
'85 Kuyt
Afterthoughts
Big up for Denmark's coach recognizing the Dutch's weakness: no speed in attack. While making the playing-field very small he caused Holland difficulties combining in midfield.
Expect Elia to play against Japan. Van der Vaart will probably be dropped but in my mind he didn't play worse then van Persie, Sneijder or Kuyt.
In Holland there is a thought that Sneijder and van der Vaart can't play together. I disagree but they need at least one speedster (Elia or Robben) on the wing to create space in midfield.
Keep in mind: Rafael van der Vaart is my favorite player and he will no doubt be sacrificed if Bert van Marwijk decides to bring Elia in. Making me sad...
Van Persie didn't play very well, which was a surprise to me and many others. But I don't doubt he is going to have a great tournament, especially when Robben comes in (creating acres of space for RVP).
Big plus was Holland's defensive organization (including van Bommel en de Jong). Denmark didn't have a clear-cut chance in the game and I can't remember a shot by a Danish player in the second half.
Gio van Bronkhorst didn't look great but the Danes failed to take advantage.
The assumption in Holland is: Oranje can't win if they play badly. Well...this performance was very bad and they won. This can be a positive sign...sort of...
I realize it looks like I am spinning an horrible and lucky win into a positive. But if you look back at Dutch teams in the recent past they always lost (Belgium 1994, England 1996, Ireland 2001, Portugal 2004 & 2006, Russia 2008) or drew (Scotland 1996, Belgium 1998, Germany 2004) when they had bad performances.
Some players said the altitude caused them to tire very quickly making it impossible to play the high pressure style which van Marwijk likes to play. Also a lot of crosses and long passes were overhit (just like in the Argentina-Nigeria game). Let's hope over time the Dutch squad will get used to the altitude. Their next game, however, is in Durban (at sea-level) against Japan. I think Holland will play much better there, due to the opponent, playing at sea level and the inclusion of Elia and maybe Robben in the team.
Golden Clog (award for best Dutch player)
The winner of my first Golden Clog is a duo: Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel. They bossed the midfield and won the ball back countless times.
Holland v Denmark quick pre-match thoughts
Thoughts from a Dutch perspective.
Happy thoughts:
Great team play the last few friendly's (whatever they mean...);
Good form of Holland's best players: Sneijder, van Persie, van der Vaart;
Whatever others say: the defense isn't as weak as advertised. Just 2 goals against in qualifying. Never conceded more then 2 goals in friendly's.
On the contrary what has been reported by international media (who seem to copy and paste old stories before big tournaments): the mood in the team has been very positive;
Van Marwijk's presence: in retrospect, former coach van Basten was too inexperienced to lead this Dutch team. When Holland faced Russia in Euro 2008 he was totally out-foxed by Guus Hiddink and couldn't make necessary adjustments when needed. Really no surprise if you consider that this was van Basten's first real coaching job. Although van Marwijk is not well known internationally, he is experienced and tactically sound.
Bad thoughts
Morten Olson is a great coach and no doubt he will try to force Holland to hoof it up field. Reportedly this Jabulani doesn't react normal in the air and in combination with the altitude this will cause problems creating chances;
With Robben not playing, the Dutch has no speedy player up front. This can be used by Morton Olsen by making the playing field very small, making it difficult for Oranje to play their preferred combination football (there is no doubt van Marwijk will bring in speedy Eljiro Elia at some point in the second half);
Dutch left back situation: Gio van Bronkhorst is pretty good going forward but has trouble defending. Dennis Rommendahl isn't a great player by any means but certainly is speedy. Gio has trouble facing players with Jan Koller speed, so no doubt he's going to have a troubling day if the Danes play it smart;
Denmark's set pieces are very dangerous, and although the Dutch don't concede much, they don't have many good headers of the ball.
Fearless (not!) prediction: 2-1 to Holland. But a draw wouldn't surprise me at all.
Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronkhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, van der Vaart; van Persie
Happy thoughts:
Great team play the last few friendly's (whatever they mean...);
Good form of Holland's best players: Sneijder, van Persie, van der Vaart;
Whatever others say: the defense isn't as weak as advertised. Just 2 goals against in qualifying. Never conceded more then 2 goals in friendly's.
On the contrary what has been reported by international media (who seem to copy and paste old stories before big tournaments): the mood in the team has been very positive;
Van Marwijk's presence: in retrospect, former coach van Basten was too inexperienced to lead this Dutch team. When Holland faced Russia in Euro 2008 he was totally out-foxed by Guus Hiddink and couldn't make necessary adjustments when needed. Really no surprise if you consider that this was van Basten's first real coaching job. Although van Marwijk is not well known internationally, he is experienced and tactically sound.
Bad thoughts
Morten Olson is a great coach and no doubt he will try to force Holland to hoof it up field. Reportedly this Jabulani doesn't react normal in the air and in combination with the altitude this will cause problems creating chances;
With Robben not playing, the Dutch has no speedy player up front. This can be used by Morton Olsen by making the playing field very small, making it difficult for Oranje to play their preferred combination football (there is no doubt van Marwijk will bring in speedy Eljiro Elia at some point in the second half);
Dutch left back situation: Gio van Bronkhorst is pretty good going forward but has trouble defending. Dennis Rommendahl isn't a great player by any means but certainly is speedy. Gio has trouble facing players with Jan Koller speed, so no doubt he's going to have a troubling day if the Danes play it smart;
Denmark's set pieces are very dangerous, and although the Dutch don't concede much, they don't have many good headers of the ball.
Fearless (not!) prediction: 2-1 to Holland. But a draw wouldn't surprise me at all.
Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronkhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Kuyt, Sneijder, van der Vaart; van Persie
maandag 7 juni 2010
National Hamstring day
6th of June, Approximately 22.40 hours CET: “I want to be there when we are crowned World Champions, because with this team we have a very good chance to win it all. I will do everything in my power…I just don’t want to disappoint the boys.” With this simple but powerful message the National Hamstring day came to a satisfying end.
It all began a day earlier late in the afternoon: Friendly match, Holland v Hungary, Arjen Robben laying in agony and grabbing his left hamstring. The stadium, filled with 50.000 people dressed in orange who were jubilant and full of joy just 30 seconds earlier, went silent. Robben just attempted a fancy back heel and failed miserably. What’s worse: this failed fancy flick looked like the cause of broken dreams. No! Kids crying, grandma looking on in anger and disgust, tough- looking men putting their hands before their eyes, this can’t be true!
Robben, looking unstoppable since he came on the pitch, now looked broken, stopped by his own ill-advised fancy football. TV commentator Leo doesn’t know what to say, co-commentator, former Dutch international; Wim Kieft trying to explain it all to the public at home (and failing horribly) sighs and says: “it looks like his hamstring.” This makes sense, since he is actually grabbing his hamstring! Thank you for the analysis Wim!
Game over, Holland won 6-1 but nobody is smiling. It feels like somebody just pooped in our clogs, this must be a very bad joke. Maybe pundit Ronald Koeman can give some perspective on the situation. Koeman looks like he just watched Schindlers List and says: “It doesn’t look good, without Robben Holland is 20% less.” Ronald, who evidently had a calculator in his back pocket, is joined by Wim Kieft in a cramped studio in the stadium. Wim sighs again: “It looks horrible, it’s over.”
The six o’clock news opens with Robben’s injury. Our favorite son Joran van der Sloot, who is on a killing spree, is clearly unimportant; some oil spill, killing thousands of fish and birds is insignificant. The news about our national election -which is just a few days away- can wait. This man who runs after a round object for a living (admittedly he runs quite fast) is more important than the people who make sure that we all still have a job tomorrow and are responsible for keeping the nation safe. And it all makes sense, the nation is in shock.
National sports show Studio Sport of course starts with the hamstring analysis. The presenter looks sad at pundit Youri Mulder and she asks him: “Youri, what were your first thoughts when you saw this?” Surprisingly Youri is not flabbergasted by the question which normally is reserved for people who just witnessed a fatal disaster: “I thought: there goes our World Cup…” His analysis consist of thoughts like: he trained too little…he played too much…can’t make this move with 30 degrees Celsius…Bert van Marwijk, who protected Robben like Kevin Costner protected Whitney Houston (but probably without the romance), was accused of not being careful enough.
In the meantime the Dutch team traveled to South-Africa without the unlucky left hamstring. While poor hotel employees are singing and dancing welcoming Oranje, a Dutch reporter puts a microphone in Bert van Marwijk’s face and asks him if he heard anything about Arjen. Bert didn’t. Captian Gio van Bronckhorst is asked the same question; he doesn’t know anything either but he exchanged texts with Arjen. One minute later it reads on various Dutch news sites: “Robben keeps Gio informed via text message.”
It’s news over here that Robben’s hamstring is news at other places. It sounds better over there though, the Dutch language just isn’t suited for headlines like the English language: The Sun reads: "The Dutch could be Rob-bed of Arjen.” And the Dutch language just doesn’t sound as electric as the Germans; Bild opens with: “Der Robben-Schock.” And of course #robben is very trending on twitter.
Dutch TV news can’t report anything new on the hamstring and repeats itself each hour. National sports show Studio Sport, showing tennis and field hockey this Sunday, vows to keep us informed of new developments but none are coming. Various reports appear during the evening, all news sites copying of each other (none checking if it has anything to do with the actual truth): “No news today, Dutch FA will come with statement tomorrow” followed one hour later by: “Possibly some news this evening.”
At approximately 22.40 hours CET Arjen is on the telephone with popular opinionated football TV show Studio Voetbal : Apparently it’s just a little hamstring tear, it can be treated and he can be back within a week. “I want to be there when we are crowned World Champions, because with this team we have a very good chance to win it all. I will do everything in my power…I just don’t want to disappoint the boys.” The presenter, who looks like he lives in a tanning bed, says Arjen’s words just gave him goose bumps.
And so the day of the hamstring ends. Arjen Robben is still very injury prone, Holland has a pretty good team with or without Robben, our back four is still questionable and we will still probably lose in the quarter-finals to Brazil. Really nothing has changed since 48 hours, but it was just a lovable day of World Cup madness in Holland.
It all began a day earlier late in the afternoon: Friendly match, Holland v Hungary, Arjen Robben laying in agony and grabbing his left hamstring. The stadium, filled with 50.000 people dressed in orange who were jubilant and full of joy just 30 seconds earlier, went silent. Robben just attempted a fancy back heel and failed miserably. What’s worse: this failed fancy flick looked like the cause of broken dreams. No! Kids crying, grandma looking on in anger and disgust, tough- looking men putting their hands before their eyes, this can’t be true!
Robben, looking unstoppable since he came on the pitch, now looked broken, stopped by his own ill-advised fancy football. TV commentator Leo doesn’t know what to say, co-commentator, former Dutch international; Wim Kieft trying to explain it all to the public at home (and failing horribly) sighs and says: “it looks like his hamstring.” This makes sense, since he is actually grabbing his hamstring! Thank you for the analysis Wim!
Game over, Holland won 6-1 but nobody is smiling. It feels like somebody just pooped in our clogs, this must be a very bad joke. Maybe pundit Ronald Koeman can give some perspective on the situation. Koeman looks like he just watched Schindlers List and says: “It doesn’t look good, without Robben Holland is 20% less.” Ronald, who evidently had a calculator in his back pocket, is joined by Wim Kieft in a cramped studio in the stadium. Wim sighs again: “It looks horrible, it’s over.”
The six o’clock news opens with Robben’s injury. Our favorite son Joran van der Sloot, who is on a killing spree, is clearly unimportant; some oil spill, killing thousands of fish and birds is insignificant. The news about our national election -which is just a few days away- can wait. This man who runs after a round object for a living (admittedly he runs quite fast) is more important than the people who make sure that we all still have a job tomorrow and are responsible for keeping the nation safe. And it all makes sense, the nation is in shock.
National sports show Studio Sport of course starts with the hamstring analysis. The presenter looks sad at pundit Youri Mulder and she asks him: “Youri, what were your first thoughts when you saw this?” Surprisingly Youri is not flabbergasted by the question which normally is reserved for people who just witnessed a fatal disaster: “I thought: there goes our World Cup…” His analysis consist of thoughts like: he trained too little…he played too much…can’t make this move with 30 degrees Celsius…Bert van Marwijk, who protected Robben like Kevin Costner protected Whitney Houston (but probably without the romance), was accused of not being careful enough.
In the meantime the Dutch team traveled to South-Africa without the unlucky left hamstring. While poor hotel employees are singing and dancing welcoming Oranje, a Dutch reporter puts a microphone in Bert van Marwijk’s face and asks him if he heard anything about Arjen. Bert didn’t. Captian Gio van Bronckhorst is asked the same question; he doesn’t know anything either but he exchanged texts with Arjen. One minute later it reads on various Dutch news sites: “Robben keeps Gio informed via text message.”
It’s news over here that Robben’s hamstring is news at other places. It sounds better over there though, the Dutch language just isn’t suited for headlines like the English language: The Sun reads: "The Dutch could be Rob-bed of Arjen.” And the Dutch language just doesn’t sound as electric as the Germans; Bild opens with: “Der Robben-Schock.” And of course #robben is very trending on twitter.
Dutch TV news can’t report anything new on the hamstring and repeats itself each hour. National sports show Studio Sport, showing tennis and field hockey this Sunday, vows to keep us informed of new developments but none are coming. Various reports appear during the evening, all news sites copying of each other (none checking if it has anything to do with the actual truth): “No news today, Dutch FA will come with statement tomorrow” followed one hour later by: “Possibly some news this evening.”
At approximately 22.40 hours CET Arjen is on the telephone with popular opinionated football TV show Studio Voetbal : Apparently it’s just a little hamstring tear, it can be treated and he can be back within a week. “I want to be there when we are crowned World Champions, because with this team we have a very good chance to win it all. I will do everything in my power…I just don’t want to disappoint the boys.” The presenter, who looks like he lives in a tanning bed, says Arjen’s words just gave him goose bumps.
And so the day of the hamstring ends. Arjen Robben is still very injury prone, Holland has a pretty good team with or without Robben, our back four is still questionable and we will still probably lose in the quarter-finals to Brazil. Really nothing has changed since 48 hours, but it was just a lovable day of World Cup madness in Holland.
donderdag 3 juni 2010
Get to know the team- Goalkeepers
As an introduction to the Dutch team I will write a short (novice) scouting report on all its members. Starting with goalkeepers, I will mention their strengths, weaknesses and their current status in Oranje. Obliviously I will give some more attention to players who are actually going to play. Reports on defenders, midfielders and attackers will follow soon.
Maarten Stekelenburg (photo)(current club: Ajax/28 years old)
Strengths: Good all-round keeper: decent reflexes, decent in the air and he very rarely makes a mistake. But like his predecessor Edwin van der Sar his real strength is his passing ability. He can pick out a teammate from 50 meters with his right foot; his left foot isn't as accurate but still can match a lot of other goalkeeper's best foot.
Of course the importance of a goalkeepers passing ability can be debated, but the way Holland plays (lots of possession with a patient build-up starting at the back) Stekelenburg's passing skill is a real must.
Weaknesses: Stekelenburg doesn't have real weaknesses but I never caught him making a spectacular save either. Also his international experience is limited to a few Uefa cup (or Europa league or whatever) games with Ajax and the Dutch qualifying campaign for this year’s World Cup. His inexperience is obviously due to evergreen Edwin van der Sar, who, if he didn't retire from the national team, would still be in goal in South-Africa.
Status: Stekelenburg is without question the Dutch number one. He would have to get injured or make a real hash of it not to play all of the Holland's (significant) games.
Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht/26)
Strengths: Great reflexes and very quick of his line. Good future ahead of him.
Weaknesses: No international experience (just 3 caps).
Status: If anything happens to Stekelenburg, Vorm will replace him.
Sander Boschker (FC Twente/39)
Strengths: Good reflexes, lots of experience in the Dutch Eredivisie. Also can sit on a bench without any problem (did it with Ajax for one whole year).
Weaknesses: Despite his age he has no international experience with the Dutch team. His 1 (one!) and only cap he won recently in a friendly match against Ghana. Earlier in his career he was known to make absolute howlers, but has cut down on those significantly.
Status: I would be very surprised if he would feature more than 0 seconds at this World Cup. (Then again how many 3rd keepers will play for any nation?)
Did you know? The goalkeeping situation may look a weak for the Dutch Team. If some circumstances were a little bit different it could have been much better though: Tim Krul and Kennet Vermeer are the most talented goalkeepers we have in Holland in my opinion (and in the opinion of most pundits, in case you are wondering). Sadly both are not playing at Newcastle United and Ajax respectively. Both are still young, so in the future the name that will defend the Dutch goal may be very different.
dinsdag 25 mei 2010
The Big Build-up
Don't you love the build up to a big tournament? The prospect of approaching excitement (or doom), the debate and the predictions…
Things that didn't seem to matter before now seem huge. Like the weather during a simple practice: nobody seems to care about the temperature at other people's jobs but in May 2010 it’s news. Is 10 degrees Celsius too cold? Is this temperature comparable with the highs and lows in this other country that I don't care about except for the next few months?
It's seems strange that 16 million people live, die, love, hate and pray with the performance of eleven countrymen running after a leather (or according to some reports, plastic) round object in a country far far away. But in June (and hopefully July) 2010 it's not strange, it's the law! Not following this law would cause banishment from the 'normal' community (well, for a month at least).
Most people in the Netherlands think of themselves as unpatriotic. But we gladly change this principal to mad-nationalistic with one little sniff of success from our Dutch national team. You can get an orange (no other colors allowed) vuvuzela (this is a South-African horn, which produces a horrible sound for those who don't know) with a purchase of stamps (which nobody uses anymore) for just 30 euros: Everybody wants that of course! Orange slippers, orange cake and orange underwear are normal and hardly worth mentioning. With the purchase of just one case of beer we get a 'roar hat' (a hat in lion form who of course is roaring...) and we wear it with great pride while looking stupid. Then there are little stuffed animals dressed in orange kits, and reportedly football shoes, you can get at the super market, which are naturally treated as collectors-items. This is all in support of our Orange Lions of course. And we will be happy to crap orange if this helps the team’s cause too.
And what of ‘our’ prospects at this year’s world cup? Many of the casual fans here feel that Oranje can and must win the cup, which sounds a lot like fans in other European footballing nations (cough...England...cough). Sensible football fans (I count myself to this group, forgive me if I sound snobby here) and most pundits are predicting an exit in the quarter-finals but with, of course, a slight hope for more. Just if everything (really everything) goes right (no suspensions, injuries and no opponents who actually can convert a goal scoring opportunity) then there may be a chance of a semi-final birth. All of us though, casual fans, pundits and sensible fans alike, realize there is a very realistic chance of playing better football (whatever that means) then our opponent (I am looking at you: Brazil) but still lose in the most painful way possible. This is the way history wants it, this is the way the world needs it: people in orange winning the sympathy prize but not the big one. So it is probably crash and burn in pain (with a little bit of pride) again.
But even with this very real prospect of feeling this excoriating pain I can't wait to feel it.
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