Will We Finally See Dutch Delight This Summer?

Can The Dutch Do It This Summer?

The Netherlands have had some of the greatest players to ever grace the beautiful game: the likes of Cruyff, Bergkamp, Gullit, Seedorf, De Boer, Kluivert and so on. Yet the one thing that has always eluded the creators of ‘Total Football’ is the biggest trophy of them all – the World Cup. All the previously mentioned, and many more world class players, never got a chance to lift the famous title and much like Spain, they’ve often been called the ‘so nearly’ side that may never be able to win a World Cup. The fact is though that the Dutch are lethal at any international tournament and there presence at South Africa is not one to be ignored – they really can win the World Cup.

The problem with the Dutch in Euro 2008 was that they ran out of gas at the wrong moment and despite destroying teams in the group stage (that lead them to be considered favourites once qualified), they succumbed to a Russian side led by former coach Guus Hiddink. Two years previous in the 2006 World Cup, they narrowly lost in the second round to Portugal; the same team that broke their hearts in the 2004 European Championship semi-finals. But it’s hard to pin down what this problem has been for the Oranje, as despite always being considered a nation that continually produces high quality players, they’ve never seem like a team that will go all the way.

However, while many go on about the likes of Spain and Brazil being favourites, Netherlands players are looking the part and many are playing some amazing form. Wesley Sneijder has been passing the ball freely around the park, while Arjen Robben is heavily underrated and deserves to be mentioned in the same breathe as the likes of Rooney, Kaka or Ronaldo (I do think Messi is probably the greatest player of this generation). Van Der Vaart has won his way into the Real Madrid starting line up in recent weeks with a number of impressive and passionate displays and has often been the difference between one and three points for his club this season. These three players alone are dangerous against any team and Holland will be entering the World Cup with a lot of attacking options.

The one worry for the Dutch, however, is injuries. Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben can be game changers on any day, but both really struggle with their fitness. But then I feel it’s much the same situation England are in, if Rooney gets injured then England’s chances of winning the World Cup are diminished, and the same could be said for Robben getting injured and Holland’s chances. He’s a huge player to have and if he can link up with high team mates around him who all have real quality as he has the ability to frighten defences and get players on the back foot.

Holland are in form. They won every game in their qualifying group and only conceded two goals. Albeit, it is qualifying, but the likes of Norway, Scotland, Macedonia and Iceland will always be up for a game against the Oranje, and they over came the task with flying colours. Their group in the World Cup is one they’ll expect to finish top of, as Denmark, Cameroon and Japan will all come up against the Netherlands and the Dutch will feel confident they can beat all those teams, as outside Samuel Eto’o, these nations don’t boast some of the quality Holland have. Where they go from there is anyone’s guess, as their ability to overcome the second round will show their true credentials and they will need to ignore all the shouts from people that they are a ‘nearly side’.

The Dutch have signalled a new era, as national favourite Ruud Van Nistlerooy has been dropped and it would appear his involvement in national football is over. But they have strength and depth and if the question is can the Netherlands win the World Cup, then the answer is truly yes. They stand just as much chance as anyone else but they need to come together as a group and realise they have the potential to win it. They were so close in ’74 and ’78 when they had some of the stars of the past and now there is an opportunity for more Dutch players to become national heroes and guide their country into jubilation this summer.