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.
dinsdag 29 juni 2010
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.
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