Gio thinks we can

Gio Van Bronckhorst thinks that Marco van Basten has got the formula just right for the world cup. He figures that when so many experienced, quality internationals retire or quit the team replacements are needed and those young players called upon have not let the country down. He thinks that the record through qualifying speaks for itself. And I agree with him.

Take away the fact that a lot of the team is 20 to 23 and what do you have? You have an incredibly talented squad whose only rivals for depth would be Brazil. At that point we can factor back in the age and handle that by Van Basten’s experience coaching Ajax’s youth team. He knows what young players need to hear and do in order to be successful. I’m still not entirely buying Marco’s conservative estimate of the Dutch’s chances.