Also known as The Netherlands, the nation that brought us ‘Total Football’ could vie with Spain for the dubious honor of being the most talented country never to have won the World Cup. Once again, the Oranje will go to a tournament with a wealth of talented individuals yet are not being tipped as a serious threat. The argument against Holland winning the World Cup is the fact that they don’t seem to have the right mentality to go all the way in a tournament. Also, rumors of a racial divide have dogged them throughout previous competitions, most notably the 1996 European Championships when it is alleged that the white and black players refused to talk to one another.
It is not until the 1970s when Johan Cruyff and coach Rinus Michels pioneered ‘Total Football’ that Holland were considered to be an important football team. ‘Total Football’ had the theory that every position on the football pitch was interchangeable. In other words, someone playing in centre midfield could move up front, and be replaced seamlessly by another player on the team. This would ensure that the team’s organizational structure would remain intact. This almost brought them the World Cup in 1974 and 1978. On both occasions they were to lose the final. In 1974, they beat Brazil and Argentina before losing 2-1 to West Germany having failed to kill off their opponents off when 1-0 up. The 1978 side was shorn of Cruyff as well as other players who refused to participate but still managed to make it to the final. This time it was the hosts Argentina who defeated them 3-1 after extra time. The 1998 World Cup was the only other time Holland have seriously threatened to win the tournament. They were to lose on penalties to Brazil in the semi final.
Their last World Cup campaign was notable mainly for the amount of yellow and red cards produced in their last 16 match with Portugal. In total, 16 yellow cards were shown and 4 men were sent off (2 on each side) in what was to become known as the ‘Battle of Nuremburg’. In the end, Holland were to return home battered and bruised as the Portuguese advanced 1-0.
Holland absolutely waltzed through qualification winning all eight group games while only conceding two goals. They had the distinction of being the first European team to qualify for the finals.
When taking into account Holland’s chances of doing well in this tournament, their qualification record should be discarded due to the lack of competition within their group. They will fancy their chances of emerging from the group stage in South Africa and have some exceptional footballers in their side such as Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie, and Arjen Robben. However, they will have to overcome numerous mental hurdles to win the World Cup and their current crop of players have much to prove.