Well, we don’t much see the Dutch come up with amazing feats on the international scene do we?Yet everytime Holland has appeared in a major soccer event, they have promised so much.
So, what has been the key to their failure?
FATE
Well, the most important factor seems to be their fate, which keeps popping up its ugly head from time to time throwing the Dutch again and again into a tunnel of despair.I have followed the team since France’98.So, why not start from there?They come up with scintillating performances defeating Argentina in the quarters to set up a date with Brazil in the semis.The match finishes at (1-1), Holland lose out on penalties.Then comes eurocup2000, the dutch stomp their way to the semis only to lose on penalties yet again to Italy, after the match ended (0-0).In the world cup 2002 qualifiers, 2 rare losses to Portugal and Ireland deprive them of their world cup berth.When I say rare , i mean rare as they have only lost 6 matches in the last 5 years.What a time for the defeats to come along.It seems luck just wouldn’t side with them.The fact that they haven’t won the world cup in spite of reaching the finals twice itself, tells a story.But is that all that affects the performance of these eternal underachievers or is there more to it?I do feel there is.
LACK OF COORDINATION
Since 1998, the dutch side has seen new players come and go at too fast a rate to even imagine any sort of coordination between them.The current squad has a blend of youth and old, in other words it is undergoing a rebuilding process.
PLAYER BURNOUT
With club football taking center stage, the players can hardly ever give it their all in the international matches , most can’t even attend due to injuries, others can’t form any coordination amongst themselves due to frequent change in the teammates.A problem even France faced in world cup 2002.Only Brazilians seem to cope with this, they seem to have some inbuilt understanding amongst themselves.
LACK OF DYNAMISM
Although there is no technical flaw in the dutch game, to be a great side they have to do something different to have an edge over others.For ex. England don’t have many stars, they play a technically sound game to put up decent performances but never anything spectacular.However Holland do have a choice.They do have many creative players in each department of the game, good players capable of playing indigenous soccer.So many stars who singlehandedly win matches for their clubs. 1. Van Nistelrooy for MAN UNITED, 2. Seedorf for Milan and Davids for Juventus, about to be involved in a finals standoff in the champions league, 3.Van Der Vaart for Ajax.... However they all seem so sedate while playing for their country due to such less no.of internationals being played, there isn’t much understanding in the players.However FIFA could improve the situation by giving more importance to international football, otherwise we’re never going to see national talent in full bloom. So, do Holland have players who can make a difference?They definitely do, potentially better than even France.
THE DUTCH FIREPOWER
Kevin Hofland(PSV)Excellent young defender with very good technique and vision, even capable of building attacks from the back.
Paul Bosvelt(Feyenoord)The 33 yr old is a very efficient operator in midfield always on the lookout for openings, making him deadly dangerous.
Ronald De Boer(Glasgow Rangers)another seasoned campaigner, a complete striker capable of quick manoeuvres and clever finishes.
Mark Van Bommel(PSV)Promising youngster, basically a builder creeps up on the opposition with all options upon, even capable of pulling off long distance strikes if need be.
Rafael Van Der Vaart(Ajax)Young attacking midfielder who has everything in him, can build moves, go for a strike, got speed in his armory and ability to make great passes.
Giovanni Van Bronckhorst(Arsenal)The 26-yr old is a real tough character, very quick and flexible to go with excellent technique and insight.
Edgar Davids(Juventus)Has got it all in him.A dogged fighter, capable of a good passing game, very quick to hone in the advantage if opportunity calls.With him on the move strikers can rest assure the ball will find them.Also capable of good strikes and defending in crunch situations.He won’t fall easy.
Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan) A huge asset to the dutch side, he’s a silent builder with quick and cunning moves, often deceiving the opposition into believing there’s no danger and ever efficient in creating opportunities for his strikers.
Boudweijin Zenden(Chelsea)Very pacy winger, rich in experience will often beat oppositon for speed to create opportunities for his strikers.
Marc Overmars(Barcelona)Another good winger with good vision and effecient passing to his credit, a treat for his strikers.
Frank de Boer(Barcelona)An inspirational defender both for his club and country sound in technique, always lifts his game in tight situations.
Jaap Stam(Lazio)Probably the most skillful defender in the side, remains amazingly cool, calm and collected irrespective of the situation.
Patrick Kluivert(Barcelona)An asset to the dutch for so many years.An alert striker who makes the most of his chances with intelligent moves and fine touches.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy(Man Utd)Modern day Marco Van Basten, highest scorer for the last 2 seasons, he misses next to nothing from inside the box.Very creative, pulling off goals on a regular basis.
Jerrel Hasselbank(Chelsea)A complete striker with loads of pace, can pull off both long and short range strikes with equal precision.
With other stars like Melchiot, Landzaat, Wattereaus and Makai they do look a formidable lot with Cocu in their ranks too.
THE CURRENT IMPLICATIONS
Talking of injecting dynamism into their play, the Dutch do seem to have turned over a new leaf in their approach after the world cup disappointment having not lost a game since September 2001.This year has been splendid with them pulling off some sensational victories including giants Argentina.Their euro2004 qualifiers depicts their new approach and resolve with victories over Belarus(3-0), Austria(3-0).They came from behind in an away match to beat Moldova(2-1)while the Czech.managed to hold them at (1-1).In the second round, they beat Belaraus (2-0).In the latest FIFA rankings they have climbed upto 9th, however surely they can do better.So, they seem all ready for the challenge topping the tables in group 3 of the qualifying phase.They finally seem to have gotten going with different body language, a different play style and different attitude towards the game, the right one this time, as it does seem.
So, who’ll stop this run of a team which is determined to show the world what it’s all about.I guess time will tell.Meanwhile watch out for Ruud and Co. in Euro2004.They mean business.