Thoughts and Ruminations

June 17th, 2006 | by: Mike |

I know you’ve all been waiting to hear what I thought about the match. I’ve distilled all of my reactions and ideas into a few points.

>There is nothing between Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. If you really did believe the rumours you can forget them now. van Persie has his goal(and what a goal!) and saw lots of the ball as did Robben.

>Giovanni van Bronckhorst doesn’t completely fit into the Dutch style. A keen observer will notice that he his most comfortable within 15 yards of the half way line and going forward. Chasing back and making the tackles, along with marking aren’t his strengths. In a team that relies on its attacking impetus from wingers he looks a little dismayed by having to shoulder the burden of a defensive left back. He did make a few good tackles however.

>Khalid Boulahrouz was an excellent substitute. His first tackles of the game were all uncompromising, physical, assured and no-nonsense. The Dutch at times look to want to play their way out of trouble where as Boulahrouz seems to be happy with the slogan, “When in doubt, get it out”. Good appearance from him.

>It was nice to see van der Vaart play the better part of half an hour. He is indeed lacking match sharpness, painfully so in fact but he gets into some wonderful positions. As an attacking midfielder he can be nothing short of exquisite.

>van Nistelrooy’s goal was just what was needed. Not only did it take some pressure off of Ruud (and add to his confidence) but it will serve as positive reinforcement for Robben who at times still opts to shoot instead of play in a colleague.

>Finally: The Dutch didn’t play poorly. They didn’t play the way they can and usually do however. When Ruud came off that changed the dynamic of the team and it was an attempt to shore up the midfield – the only factor of the Dutch that was below par. The midfield, like in the first half of the Serbian game, orchestrated the possession although less so this time with some advancing runs coming from Mathijsen in defence. The midfield faded away shortly before the Ivorian goal and right up until the final whistle was very suspect. I can’t put my finger on it though. I don’t know what it is. I just wonder how the midfield would change with Maduro present in it.

I can’t see Marco van Basten staying with the same team for the Argentina game. I truly believe that the Dutch can win the game handily but something has to be done about the midfield. It’s top quality but fades away in matches unlike that of the Argentinians for example. We shall see I suppose.

Tags: Arjen Robben, Netherlands, Robin van Persie, Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Netherlands World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Comments

By ab initio | June 17th, 2006 at 6:11 am

The Holland vs Argentina match will be a very entertaining game. Holland has to defeat Argentina to top the group as either a draw or loss will put Argentina on the top.

So I would expect an attacking game with good control of mid-field as the Dutch strategy. Will Argentina adopt a more defensive posture or go with the attack is the best defense strategy?

This match should provide the first glimpse of the level of play in the quarter-finals to the finals.

Posted from United States

By sam | June 17th, 2006 at 7:51 am

IT should be very interesting match, However, given the striking power Argentina has as well as superior midfield control, will result in putting the Dutch on the Defensive for most of the game. Argentina, unlike IC, will push forwards with numbers, and these forwards are speedy, very technical on the ball. I expect Argentina to win 2-0.

Posted from United States

By Rami | June 17th, 2006 at 9:41 am

Sam well you’re right about many things. I just hope your scoreline prediction is wrong.

At this stage, it’s really gonna be between the most performant midfield agaisnt one that is performing very badly. God i sure wished Davids was among them.I still think that this was VB’s only mistake. With that guy’s experience we would have done much better. Anyway whats done is done.

Against argentina im sure vdv will start the match. He’ll try to play 90 mins in order to be prepared for the second round. Cocu should be rested. I’d say maduro or landzaat in his place alongside vdv and sneijder. Sneijder would play a defensive midfielder’s role. What we need is players who would know how to control possession for more than 5-6 passes. We don’t honestly have that yet, whereas argentina are able to come up with 30 passes without losing possession. Therefore i vote for only one spot for landzaat/maduro/cocu and then vdv alongside sneijder.

I hope VB doesn’t bring in Kuyt for Van Nis just yet.

One thing to note guys is that so far in this wc, we are starting off strong and scoring in the first half and then end up defending for the rest of the game. This scenario is definitely gonna change. What if Argentina score first?? Can Holland dominate for the rest of the match and control the ball like we’re used to them controlling it?? So could it be that the problem is just mental?

In the second round we will be up against portugal if we lose against argentina. So ahead of us are only strong fixtures. We need to perform well. Or else…

Posted from Russian Federation

By bhutti | June 17th, 2006 at 12:57 pm

I felt that the Dutch, as scintillating as they were, made a mistake by not slowing down the game when in possession and in trying to match the blistering pace of Ivory Coast. Neverthless, it was among the most fascinating games of the tournament.

Posted from India

By richard | June 17th, 2006 at 4:03 pm

I agree with points made by Rami and Bhutti: The Dutch yesterday did not hold onto the ball long enough in the second half after regaining possession: they tried to move the ball upfield too quickly–no methodical buildup; would lose it and thus exposed themselves to the dangerous IC counterattack. The Orange, then, played more of the IC game. The Dutch are great in possession usually, but did not do it yesterday–3 passes, and there goes the IC the other way! Argentina won’t be as strong or as athletic as IC, but as said, they may come with more numbers and their passing is excellent. The Dutch have been solid–the defense is better than I thought and the forwards are talented–but they have to play stronger in the second half. Go Oranje

Posted from United States

By giel | June 19th, 2006 at 12:27 pm

scintillating…that’s a nice word…well it never gave us a wc only ec in 88. we lost the finals of 74-78 en a bunch of simi-finals and quater-finals.the idea is to play more to win; how it looks is far less important these days overhere.I really hope we win because only then will we switch back to play as we did before…scintillating.
was it beautiful how greece won the ec? or how germany won the wc? did they really play well? did not everybody think they would lose their next match because this or that was wrong in their play? it can happen but if that happens? i don’t think so…hehehe…

Posted from Netherlands