Netherlands (NED)
After finishing fourth at France 98, the Netherlands failed to reach
Asia’s first finals after being thwarted in qualifying Group 2 by
Portugal and the Republic of Ireland. It was a devastating blow for a
nation rich in football tradition and sumptuous talent, and a memory
the current crop of
Oranje stars will be looking to erase at Germany 2006.
The Dutch team's greatest moments were back in the 1970s. Under coach
Rinus Michels, they finished runners-up in the 1974 FIFA World Cup™ as
a team boasting the great Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens lost 2-1 to
the hosts Germany. Four years later in Argentina they made it to the
final again, losing out 3-1 to the host country in Buenos Aires to
become the first back-to-back runners-up.
As reigning European champions, the Netherlands looked set for glory at
Italia 90, but despite the presence of international stars such as Ruud
Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten, they came
unstuck in the second round against a Germany side who went on to
become world champions.
As they prepare for their first FIFA World Cup since reaching the last
four at France 98, the Dutch can point to some impressive results in
qualifying. Former star striker van Basten has rejuvenated the national
squad since replacing the experienced Dick Advocaat following the
Netherlands’ semi-final exit at UEFA EURO 2004.
The benefits of this shake-up were almost immediately
apparent as in the first match of their Germany 2006 qualifying
campaign, the Oranje
beat the Czech Republic 2-0 in Amsterdam. By emphasising their
authority over their chief rivals in Group 1 from the outset, the
Netherlands facilitated their task considerably, and the van Basten
effect has shown no sign of waning. With ten wins and two draws, the
Dutch secured qualification by underlining their superiority over the
Czechs with a 2-0 win in Prague on 8 October 2005.
It has to be said that in international stars of the calibre
of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edwin van der Sar and captain Phillip Cocu, van
Basten possessed an almost cast-iron insurance policy. Consequently, he
was able to gently introduce a new generation featuring the likes of
Dirk Kuyt and Hedwiges Maduro, in addition to using the maturing
talents of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart.
Highly impressive as a unit, the Dutch now want to demonstrate
their formidable qualities at the highest level. Well in advance of the
short trip to Germany, van Basten has already nailed his colours to the
mast: the Netherlands will be going for gold. No doubt he will seek
inspiration from the stunning performance of Johan Cruyff’s ‘Clockwork
Orange’ at the 1974 finals which, incidentally, were also held on
German soil.
