Oranje miracle continues…

Kuyt scores the 1-0

Oranje took on the vice world champions after having punished the actual title holders earlier on.

The expectactions were suddenly high. That defense wasn’t so bad after all and Sneijder, Van Gol, van der Vaart and Kuyt could move mountains. It seemed Engelaar was the new Rijkaard and Van der Sar has super powers. But, France is not a bad side either, and they had seen that match against Italy. The pressure was on the French and Oranje could expect a tough matvh against a highly respected opponent.

In the first minutes of the game, it was clear that Marco and Co. were planning to do exactly what worked against Italy. A power-pressure game with a defense starting with the lone striker. The pace was high and the orange feet knew to find each other easily. That sought after first goal was handed to Oranje on a platter in the 9th minute of the game. Sure, the corner kick by Raf van der Vaart was pitch perfect and Kuyt knows how to head a ball, but with Malouda trying to tango with Dirk, Henry in no man’s land and Coupet nailed to the goal line, it wasn’t a tough goal to score.

In the minutes after the goal, Oranje reigned but the pace slowly died down and some Oranje players needed too much touches and too much time. Engelaar drowned in midfield due to Oranje’s lack of pressure. Sneijer couldn’t find a touch, Ruud was getting more and more isolated and Raf van der Vaart worked hard but couldn’t do it alone. Mid first half, France took control and created several shooting opps (Malouda, Ribery, Govou) but Van der Sar demonstrated why he is world class. The quick turnaround didn’t really work and with Engelaar below par, Gio nailed to the left back position and Sneijder not in the game, Oranje was lucky to reach the break without damage.

Van Persie: 2-0

Van Basten knew a change was needed. He could have changed Engelaar for Heitinga – like for like – but that wouldn’t stop France’ pressure. The best defense is offense, was what Van Basten must have thought and one Arjen Robben was desperate to finally play his minutes.

His presence enabled Sneijder to move centrally, with Van der Vaart taking over holding duties, with De Jong tidying up where ever he could. France started strong in the second half and deserved a penalty when Ooijer – unwillingly – blocked a shot with his arm. Minutes later Henry avoided the off side trap and lobbed the ball over Sar but also over the cross bar. Ten minutes into the second half, an empty Kuyt was replaced by Van Persie and the Oranje show was ready to begin.

Roulette Ruud: unsuspected skills

Four minutes later it was a un-Ruudlike trick – a roulette – on the sideline that enabled Robben to escape on the left. His hard cross was finished by Van Persie with a vengeance; Coupet touched the ball with his arm, but – like Ooijer unwillingly – it wasn’t enough: 2-0. Robben tested Coupet minutes later but it was Henry who’d find the net in the 71st minute. It was off side, but just. France prepared itself for 20 minutes of fighting football, but a quick break right after the kick off enabled Sneijder to place the ball exactly in Robben’s run. At first it seemed old hand Thuram would block the former Groningen man, but from an acute angle the Madrid player hit the ball home. Coupet “only stood there and looked at it” (Dutch expression). Robben couldn’t believe it himself and his facial expressions right after the goal will become symbols for the accomplishments of this Oranje generation. Bouma comes on to replace Van der Vaart and Van Nistelrooy is close to scoring with a shrewd header. France is outplayed by then, they don’t seem to have the faith anymore and they long for the final blow.
Right before that’s a fact however, Sneijder collects the ball right outside the box, with his back to the goal and while turning the mighty right delivers a fitting end to this historical match. Without even looking, the Madrid midfielder places the ball with speed over Coupet’s hands and right under the crossbar: 4-1.

A minute by minute report:

9. Kuyt scores 1-0;a header from a Van der Vaart corner kick.
23. Van der Sar saves a Govou shot in the near corner.
32. Makélélé hits Van der Vaart and receives a yellow.
34. Van der Sar stops a hard shot by Malouda and a Govou attempt.
35. Ribéry’s low shot is stopped by Sar.
37. Ribery’s low cross in the box doesn’t reach a blue shirt.
38. Failed attempt to a strong distance shot by Sneijder.
46. Robben replaces Engelaar.
49. Ooijer blocks a Henry shot with his lower arm.
52. Yellow for Ooijer.
54. Henry lobs the ball over Sar and over the goal.
55. Van Persie replaces Kuyt.
59. Robben assist on Van Persie for 2-0.
63. Low Robben shot stopped by Coupet.
71. Henry scored 2-1 in off side position on a service by Sagnol.
72. Robben scores from an incredible angle 3-1.
8. Evra’s shot misses the mark.
78. Van der Vaart replaced by Bouma.
83. Coupet stretches to block a header by Van Nistelrooy.
92. Sneijder scores the 4-1 with a remarkable strike.

Overjoyed, Wesley Sneijder collected his son at the side of the pitch and celebrated with him on the field. Nigel de Jong hung from the cross bar and Arjen Robben hugged best mate Dirk Kuyt.

“The Italy game was a dream, but we have repeated it here,” enjoyed Sneijder the after party.

“And when you are three, you start practicing with your left foot.”

Arjen Robben, coming on in the second half, the victory was extra sweet. The striker has a bit of a hate-love relationship with Oranje but seemed the happiest man on earth. “What a joy to be back in the team, I can’t even try to express it. My world collapsed last week with that injury.”

Robben influenced the match in a huge way. After his hug with Kuyt, he immediately went to search for his coach Van Basten, who won the games with his replacements.

That was the story in a nutshell. Oranje led 1-0 but got in trouble in the first half. In the second, Van Basten put two extra forwards in, exchanging a holding midfielder and a tired soldier (Kuyt).

Both troubled creative players made the difference, with goals, in the second half securing Oranje’s second win and top spot in the Group of Death.

Oranje only had one real opportunity in the first half, and Kuyt took that chance. France had the best opportunities in the remainder of the first half. Robben was instrumental with his run and assist for Van Persie, scoring the 2-0. Robben would later score the 3-1 from an impossible angle.

Van Basten copped a lot of criticism after the WC2006 defeat against Portugal. He couldn’t turn the game around using the rights substitutes. This time around, Van Basten not only demonstrated how he has grown but also his guts. When under pressure, bring extra strikers.

Apart from Robben and Robin, it were old hands Van der Sar and Ooijer who pulled Oranje through a difficult phase in he game. Van der Sar refused to surrender to the attempts of France.

The team spirit was enormous again, but this match also showed the defensive weakness of Oranje. Players like Kuyt, De Jong and Ooijer showed their sacrifices whenever they had to bail a team mate out of trouble.

But it was clear what was missing in Oranje’s game. Depth. Sneijder was invisible in the first half, Van der Vaart tried but couldn’t force it alone and Ruud van Nistelrooy fought for what he’s worth, but must have felt like he was on a deserted island.

When Robben came for Engelaar, who had a tough game this time around, Sneijder moved to the playmaker’s position and Van der Vaart moved a line back to the left.

“We are going to Vienna,” sang the Oranje Legion. That scenario is definitely out there, but Basel is waiting for the Orange Army first.