The team is ranked at world #15, even below teams such as Switzerland and Portugal. However, their first appearance in this World Cup blew everyone’s minds away with its power-packed performance and here’s why it does not look like Australia will quite make it against the Oranjes –
1. They’re playing Australia…
Who aren’t as brilliant of a team as they would like to be and are the lowest ranked team this World Cup (62nd place).
2. There’s Robben and van Persie.
Big names don’t always make for big games, but in this case they do. The Dutch stars scored two goals each in their opener against World No. 1 team, Spain and have a rather impressive past record for both club and country.
3. Australian defence is no match for Dutch attack.
Their defence generally results in gaps which the rather aggressive Oranjes will only be too happy to take advantage of.
4. Netherlands has the confidence factor in their favour.
Winning their world Cup opener by thrashing the team that ruined their chances at the 2010 trophy does wonders to boost a team’s morale.
It’s only been six days since the World Cup kicked off, but the series has already seen a plethora of surprises ranging from Mexico’s victory against Cameroon and Croatia’s very strong defence that made Brazil’s first win a challenging one. With all respect to the rise of the underdogs this season, it still looks likeTim Cahill’s and James Holland’s skills might not stand a chance against the combined illustrious skills of Nigel de Jong, Jermaine Lens and Wesley Sneijder in addition to the already established heroes of the team.