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.
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 Euro 2008 campaign. The team has history on their side; the last team to reach a World Cup finals without dropping a single point in qualifying — West Germany in 1982 — went on to contest the final.
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.
The coach
Calm, affable, discrete but approachable, Van Marwik believes it is important to be close to his players. Although his style marks a real break with that of his predecessor, Marco van Basten, the tactics remain similar. With Phillip Cocu and Frank de Boer as assistants, Van Marwijk’s record is impeccable thus far
Star players
With Edwin van der Saar and Ruud van Nistelrooy retired, the key men now are Arjen Robben, Joris Mathijsen, Andre Ooijer, Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Rafael van der Vaart, Robin van Persie, Nigel De Jong and Wesley Sneijder also remain closely involved.
Facts
- In their eight finals appearances, the Oranje have reached the showpiece match twice, falling narrowly short of the global crown in 1974 and 1978. — Fifa