The Dutch were by far the surprise package at this year’s World Cup in Brazil. They were discounted, when paired together with Spain and Chile. Louis van Gaal’s boys stunned one and all.
The Dutch began the finals by trouncing defending champions 5-1 as Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben wreaked havoc. The Dutch were playing an interesting system of 3-5-2, where they played with two defensive wingbacks. It worked wonders as the possession loving Spaniards were left shell-shocked by the swift counterattacking approach used by their opponents.
The boys in orange made a heavy weather of their clqash against Aussies, as they came back twice after going down and finally clinched a winner as Memphis Depay stole the headlines with his cameo. In their last group game, two late goals from Depay and Leroy Fer sent them into the knockouts where the Mexican test awaited them.
Mexico gave Holland a run for their money as they kept the Dutch attack at bay for most of the game. They took a shock lead But a Wesley Sneijder’s equalizer Klass Jan Huntelaar equalizer sealed the game for them. Next up they faced tournament’s surprise package in Costa Rica.
Netherlands dominate the game but failed to break down a sturdy Costa Rican defense in 120 minutes. The match had its moment of brilliance from sidelines as Louis van Gaal decided to bring on Tim Krul for the shootout in place of first choice keeper Jasper Cillesen. And boom, the Oranje were in the semi finals as Tim Krul’s heroics continued their dream run in Brazil.
The semis were more or less along the same lines and both teams held their own till regulation time. A tactical battle was on between Tony Sabella and Louis Van Gaal. In extra time, both teams were looking forward to a penalty shootout as they dropped the intensity considerably. Sadly, the Dutch couldn’t make it to finals against their neighbors Germany as Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder missed their spot kicks.
Netherlands finished third in the World Cup with a comfortable 3-1 win over the hosts Brazil. They are the only team to remain unbeaten in a World Cup tournament as a shootout defeat is counted as a draw.
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