Video Netherlands 0-1 Spain (World Cup 2010 - Final)

FIFA icon 2010.07.11 (19h30) - Netherlands 0-1 Spain (World Cup 2010 - Final)


0-1 Iniesta 116'

Van Persie: We can make history

Robin van Persie knows his Holland team-mates have the chance to become immortal on Sunday.

Victory over favourites Spain in the FIFA World Cup™ final at Soccer City would finally erase the bitter taste of defeat from 1974 and 1978. Yet the Total Football created by coach Rinus Michels and put into practice by Johan Cruyff has become a millstone round Dutch necks. Even now, as they approach their date with destiny, there are some who argue this is not a true Holland team because Bert van Marwijk's well-drilled outfit lack the same stardust.

Video Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands (World Cup 2010 - Semi Final)

2010.07.06 (19h30) - Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands (World Cup 2010 - Semi Final)

Van Marwijk forced to re-think

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk is being forced to go back to the drawing ahead of his side's FIFA World Cup™ semi-final clash with Uruguay, with right-back Gregory van der Wiel and holding midfielder Nigel de Jong ruled out of Tuesday night's game in Cape Town through suspension. Both were cautioned for the second time in the tournament during yesterday's 2-1 quarter-final victory over favourites Brazil.

Van Marwijk also had to make a change just minutes before kick-off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth after central defender Joris Mathijsen picked up an injury in the warm-up. The Hamburg player made his way to the touchline

De Jong has faith in his team-mates

Nigel Nigel de Jong is hoping his Netherlands team-mates can keep alive his dreams of playing in the FIFA World Cup™ final as he prepares to sit out the match which could take them there.

The 25-year-old midfielder picked up his second yellow card of the tournament in yesterday's 2-1 quarter-final win over favourites Brazil and, like full-back Gregory van der Wiel who suffered the same fate, will be a frustrated spectator for their last-four clash with Uruguay in Cape Town on Tuesday night.

However, De Jong revealed he has

Video Netherlands 2-1 Brazil (World Cup 2010 - 1/4 Final)

2010.07.02 (15h00) - Netherlands 2-1 Brazil (World Cup 2010 - 1/4 Final)

Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia (WC 2010 - 1/8 Final)

2010.06.28 (15h00) - Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia (World Cup 2010 - 1/8 Final)

Van der Vaart: The pressure's really on

The Netherlands were one of two teams to reach the knockout phase having taken a maximum nine points. The Oranje’s reward was a Round of 16 meeting with a heavily unfancied Slovakia. FIFA caught up with attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart to discuss his and the Netherlands’ form so far, some of his country’s key players, their upcoming game and the Dutch chances of winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™.

FIFA.com: The Netherlands won three straight matches without playing their best football. Having had to work hard for those victories, can we say that the Dutch are mentally strong?
Rafael van der Vaart: Yes, for sure. I think we haven't been playing our best matches ever, but fortunately we didn't have to. But we won relatively easily and we are quite happy, because we played in a group with tough opponents. If you win three games and end up with nine points, you did a good job. Also, when you consider that we’re making progress, especially in the last match, then yes, it's starting to look good.

Returning Robben's sights on Slovakia

Arjen Robben (R) of the Netherlands celebrates with team mate John Heitinga after Klaas Jan Huntelaar scores his side's second goal during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group E match


For Arjen Robben, it was the moment he feared would never come. Nineteen days after pulling up with an injury that looked like wrecking his FIFA World Cup™, the Netherlands winger finally stepped on to South African turf, a cacophony of cheers and vuvuzelas ringing triumphantly in his ears.

Dutch gain from Kuyt graft

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Born in the tiny fishing village of Katwijk aan Zee, Dirk Kuyt has brought his  unglamorous qualities of grit and determination to bear on the Netherlands national team here at the FIFA World Cup™.

Not the flashiest of players, the Liverpool striker – equally at home playing out wide – puts in the hard minutes in each and every game, fighting for every ball, tracking back to help defend and even chipping in with the odd goal. And while some might bemoan the lack of carefree style in this organised incarnation of the Oranje, renowned through the years for their invention and panache, Kuyt stresses their focus on one thing: points.

Van Marwijk: We can do better

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The first stage of Bert van Marwijk's FIFA World Cup™ mission is complete,  Saturday's 1-0 victory over Japan in Durban have taken the Netherlands through to the last 16. But Van Marwijk's side still have to negotiate their final group game with Cameroon, who will be looking to end their tournament on a high after defeat by Denmark left their FIFA World Cup dream in tatters. Despite taking a maximum six points from six so far, the Netherlands coach tells FIFA that that there is still room for improvement in his side, and he will be looking to see evidence of that in the final group game.

FIFA: Bert, you have won both of your games so far. As a coach, could you wish for anything more?
Van Marwijk: It is always nice to win twice in a row, and we've already managed to get through the group phase. You always hope that it is going to happen, yet it is not as easy as it sounds. So, if you achieve that, you can be quite satisfied.

Team Squad List 2010 - Netherlands

Nr.	Name	Date of Birth	Position	Clubs	Height
1	Maarten STEKELENBURG	22/09/1982	GK	Ajax (NED)	197
2	Gregory VAN DER WIEL	03/02/1988	DF	Ajax (NED)	180
3	John HEITINGA	15/11/1983	DF	Everton (ENG)	182
4	Joris MATHIJSEN	05/04/1980	DF	Hamburger SV (GER)	182
5	Giovanni VAN BRONCKHORST	05/02/1975	DF	Feyenoord (NED)	176
6	Mark VAN BOMMEL	22/04/1977	MF	Bayern Munich (GER)	187
7	Dirk KUYT	22/07/1980	FW	Liverpool (ENG)	183
8	Nigel DE JONG	30/11/1984	MF	Manchester City (ENG)	174
9	Robin VAN PERSIE	06/08/1983	FW	Arsenal (ENG)	184
10	Wesley SNEIJDER	09/06/1984	MF	Inter (ITA)	170
11	Arjen ROBBEN	23/01/1984	FW	Bayern Munich (GER)	180
12	Khalid BOULAHROUZ	28/12/1981	DF	VfB Stuttgart (GER)	184
13	Andre OOIJER	11/07/1974	DF	PSV Eindhoven (NED)	184
14	Demy DE ZEEUW	26/05/1983	MF	Ajax (NED)	174
15	Edson BRAAFHEID	08/04/1983	DF	Celtic (SCO)	174
16	Michel VORM	20/10/1983	GK	Utrecht (NED)	182
17	Eljero ELIA	13/02/1987	FW	Hamburger SV (GER)	177
18	Stijn SCHAARS	11/01/1984	MF	AZ Alkmaar (NED)	178
19	Ryan BABEL	19/12/1986	FW	Liverpool (ENG)	185
20	Ibrahim AFELLAY	02/04/1986	MF	PSV Eindhoven (NED)	184
21	Klaas Jan HUNTELAAR	12/08/1983	FW	AC Milan (ITA)	185
22	Sander BOSCHKER	20/10/1970	GK	Twente Enschede (NED)	185
23	Rafael VAN DER VAART	11/02/1983	MF	Real Madrid (ESP)	178

Coach: Bert VAN MARWIJK (NED)

Coach 2010 - Netherlands

• Name: Bert VAN MARWIJK
• Country: Netherlands
• Date of Birth: 19 May 1952

Coaching Career

• Feyenoord (NED) : From 2007 to 2008
• Borussia Dortmund (GER) : From 2004 to 2006
• Feyenoord (NED) : From 2000 to 2004
• Fortuna Sittard (NED) : From 1998 to 2000
• SV Meerssen (NED) : From 1995 to 1998
• RKVCL Limmel (NED) : From 1991 to 1995
• FC Herderen (NED) : From 1990 to 1991

Playing Career

• FC Assent (NED) : From 1987 to 1988
• Fortuna Sittard (NED) : From 1986 to 1987
• MVV (NED) : From 1978 to 1986
• AZ (NED) : From 1975 to 1978
• Go Ahead Eagles (NED) : From 1969 to 1975

Aged 58, the man masterminding the Netherlands’ bid is embarking on his maiden FIFA World Cup™ finals journey as a coach. Bert van Marwijk took over from Marco van Basten in 2008 and, since then, everything has gone according to plan, the Oranje having breezed through qualifying thanks to a historic eight wins from as many games. With Frank de Boer and Phillip Cocu serving as assistants, the father-in-law of Mark van Bommel has introduced some much-needed discipline at the back, without sacrificing the traditional attacking flair so beloved of the nation's football enthusiasts.

Before taking over the national side, the Deventer native started out as a midfielder, spending much of his 18-year playing career with Maastricht. It was there that he enjoyed his first taste of coaching too, starting a four-year spell in the dugout in 1982. He then took the reins of another five clubs before being recruited by Feyenoord in the summer of 2000, fresh from leading Fortuna Sittard to the Dutch Cup final the previous season. His reputation growing, Van Marwijk hit a whole new height when he steered the Rotterdam outfit to triumph in the UEFA Cup in 2002.

Two years later, Borussia Dortmund brought him on board and even though his Bundesliga stay produced no trophies, the experience was far from a failure. When he returned to Feyenoord in 2007, he won the Dutch Cup at the end of his first season back, before his country came calling.

Said by Andre Ooijer to be “close to the players and ready to listen to them”, Van Marwijk harbours plenty of ambition and is not afraid to show it. Like his assistants, he has publicly stated his aim to clinch the grand prize in South Africa this summer, but he has never had trouble keeping his feet on the ground. “I’m very happy that our excellent performances in the qualifiers have been rewarded,” he said. “Still, we mustn’t give in to runaway optimism. This is a World Cup and because of that there won’t be any easy opponents. We’ve proved we’re a genuine team, however, and you always have to aim as high as possible. Nobody needs to put pressure on us because I do that myself.”

Team Profile 2010 - Netherlands

Profile

The final or bust. The Oranje have set lofty aims for their campaign in South Africa, 32 years after their 3-1 extra-time defeat by Argentina in the showpiece game, which itself came four years on from their 2-1 final loss to West Germany. Since the retirement of pioneering coach Rinus Michels, a multitude of players have followed in the footsteps of the Johan Cruyff generation without ever advancing as far as the final hurdle, though one particularly talented crop did claim the European title in 1988. Often seen as spectacular but mentally fragile, the Netherlands hope to banish that image under Bert van Marwijk, who took over in the wake of their disappointing UEFA EURO 2008 campaign.

He and his charges at least have history on their side this time around. The last team to reach a FIFA World Cup™ finals without dropping a single point in qualifying - West Germany in 1982 - went on to contest the final. The current Oranje vintage have made no efforts to conceal their ambitions and, once again, look on paper to have all the ingredients necessary to go far.

The road to South Africa
It was a full house for the Netherlands as they picked up eight wins from eight games. The Van Marwijk era has proved to be a faultless one so far, with the former Feyenoord coach leading his troops to the top of Group 9, where Norway and Scotland came equipped as their major rivals. As it happened, the Dutch let in the only two goals they conceded all campaign against Iceland and FYR Macedonia, while hitting two of their 17 efforts to secure slender but controlled 1-0 victories in Glasgow and Oslo.

The coach
Not the most heralded player in his time, having collected a solitary international cap, Mark van Bommel's father-in-law has known far more success in the dugout. He shone especially brightly at Feyenoord, leading the Rotterdam outfit to the UEFA Cup trophy in 2002 before taking the Dutch crown upon his return after a two-year stint with Borussia Dortmund in Germany. Calm, affable, discrete but approachable, the 56-year-old believes it is important to be close to his players, saying: "An international coach has few opportunities to work with his squad. Because of that, I want to make the most of the time I spend with my players, mix with them, take part in training, and add and vary exercises to get to know them better." Although his style marks a real break with that of his predecessor, Marco van Basten, the tactics remain similar. "Marco put a 4-2-3-1 formation in place," he says. "The players got used to that and I intend to keep it." Flanked by former stalwarts Phillip Cocu and Frank de Boer in the assistant coaching roles, Van Marwijk's record is impeccable thus far.

The star players
With Edwin van der Saar and Ruud van Nistelrooy having called time on their international careers, Van Marwijk has needed to apply his own touch to the core of players he inherited from Van Basten, without shaking things up too vigorously. The key men now are Arjen Robben, Joris Mathijsen, Andre Ooijer, Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, all of whom enjoyed considerable playing time under the previous trainer. Rafael van der Vaart, Robin van Persie, Nigel De Jong and Wesley Sneijder also remain closely involved.

Previous FIFA World Cups
In their eight finals appearances, the Oranje have reached the showpiece match twice, falling narrowly short of the global crown in 1974 and 1978. They also came in fourth at France 1998.

Honours

- 1 UEFA European Championship (1988)

What they said
"We have a mission: that mission is to be champions of the world," Frank de Boer, assistant coach.

source: fifa.com

Netherlands national football team-Custom

Netherlands

Nickname(s)	Oranje Holland The Flying Dutchmen Clockwork Orange La Naranja Mecánica
Association	Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond — KNVB
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Bert van Marwijk
Asst coach	Philip Cocu Frank de Boer Dick Voorn
Captain	Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Most caps	Edwin van der Sar (130)
Top scorer	Patrick Kluivert (40)
Home stadium	Amsterdam Arena De Kuip Philips Stadion
FIFA code	NED
FIFA ranking	4

Netherlands national football team

The Netherlands national football team is the national football team of the Netherlands and is controlled by the Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB). It won Euro '88 and reached two consecutive World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978, but lost both finals to their respective host nations, West Germany and Argentina. At the peak of its success in the 1970s, the team was famous for its mastery of Total Football and was nicknamed Clockwork Oranje for its precision passing. In many countries and even the Netherlands itself, the team is colloquially referred to as Holland. It is currently ranked fourth in the FIFA World Rankings and third in the World Football Elo Ratings.