Netherlands
2014
,
Brazil
,
FIFA
,
Group B
,
Netherlands
,
World Cup
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Netherlands - Group B (Spain, Chile, Australia)
Three World Cup Finals and a Semi Finals, four Olympic Semifinals, four Euro Semifinals and just one Euro Championship, in 1988, to showcase... you get the picture. Netherlands can be either considered unlucky or be termed as Chokers at the international footballing stage. With some strong performances in the qualifying, they are back strongly in this edition after losing the last final
Profile - Clockwork Orange
Let it be the Total Football in the 70's or the dominant football since the late 80's, the Dutch has always been a significant force to reckon but couldn't reflect the same in terms of winning silverware. One thing they wouldn't want is to lose yet another finals, especially with the talent on display. It can be noted that apart from Argentina, Netherlands is the only other team Brazil couldn't dominate much, in fact Brazil were eliminated by the Dutch on their way to 2010 final
With a strong midfield and attack, Netherlands dominated their opponents with a series of long shots and attacks from flanks while they themselves are prone to long range shots
Confederation: UEFA (Europe)
Coach: Louis van Gaal (NED)
FIFA Ranking: 15 (8-May-2014)
Nickname: Oranje, Holland
Key Players: Robben, van Persie, Sneijder
Legends: Cruyff, Bergkamp, van Basten
History - Total Football
In the 70's the national coach Michels pioneered Total Football around playmaker Johan Cruyff and reaped huge rewards out of the team. Netherlands ended up in 2 consecutive World Cup finals and and a Euro semifinal in that period. Although they have finally tasted a FIFA trophy in 1988 Germany Euro Cup, the Dutch were never such a dominant force since
Qualifying - The Flying Dutchmen
Netherlands literally cruised through their qualification campaign which included just a single draw, 2-2 against Estonia, and no losses. They scored heavily, 34 goals in 10 matches including a 8-1 thrashing of Hungary, and conceded just five goals. Robin van Persie topped the UEFA qualifiers scoring charts with 11 goals
Prospects - The Final Hurdle
Netherlands are drawn into Group B along with defending champs and their 2010 final opponents Spain in the World Cup, which makes it a bit tricky. If they top the group by beating Spain in the opening game, there's a prospect of facing former champions Italy, Argentina on the way to final, while getting out of the group as a runner-up puts them in the path of hosts Brazil in the Round of 16 encounter and then a potential matchup with Germany or France
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Michel Vorm (Swansea City), Tim Krul (Newcastle United)
Defenders:
Paul Verhaegh (Augsburg), Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord), Joel Veltman (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa), Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord), Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord), Daley Blind (Ajax)
Midfielders:
Leroy Fer (Norwich City), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea City), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray)
Forwards:
Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Robin van Persie (Manchester United), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Memphis Depay (PSV)
Fixtures
Australia vs Netherlands on June 18 at Porto Alegre
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