Posts Tagged ‘Wesley Sneijder’
UKSoccershop - Official Holland 2010 World Cup Merchandise
Tags: Babel, Break, Holland Away Shirt, Holland Boys, Home Kids, Hoodoo, Limited Quantities, Little Boys, Netherlands, Robben, Robin Van Persie, Socks, Stock, Stocks, Tipping, Top Stars, Uruguay, Victory, Wesley Sneijder, World Cup Merchandise
Dutch aim to mount challenge
After Spain cast-off their tag as serial under-achievers at Euro 2008, the only team apart from England who go into the World Cup in South Africa in serious need of proving a point is the Netherlands.
Winless in major tournaments since 1988 and yet to taste success in a Football World Cup final, De Oranje possibly come into 2010 with their most settled squad and a decent chance of lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy next month.
Bert van Marwijk’s men were perfect in qualifying, although a Group 9 including Norway, Scotland, Macedonia and Iceland did not take an awful lot of winning. But going eight wins for eight was impressive nonetheless, and conceding only two goals along the way was another achievement.
It was also rare, along the way, that they ever had their first choice XI out on the field, with Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder all missing games as they eased their way into a trip to South Africa.
Now, as they head off to the tournament as one of the top five World cup 2010 favourites to win, all of their stars are on board and van Marwijk’s biggest problem might just be finding a way to fit them all in. After all, most teams would usually have at least three defenders and he has six top class forward options at his behest.
Strangely for a side with so many options, the Dutch failed to score all that many goals in qualifying (17), but much of that comes down to the formation they use which stifles opponents and plays some hugely effective counter-attacking football.
Quality out wide comes from Robben and possibly Dirk Kuyt, while van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and youngster Eljero Elia are all adaptable forwards who could star in the tournament if getting the chances in front of goal.
Sneijder and Mark van Bommel will run midfield and there is more than enough solidity at the back, where the experience of the side lies, to protect keeper Maarten Stekelenburg from their Group E rivals; Cameroon, Denmark and Japan.
The group looks eminently winnable and with Group F to come as a second round opponent, if they avoid Italy in the second round, the road to the final eight looks fairly straightforward.
Afterwards, of course, things get a lot harder, but this team has more than enough quality and experience to cope with anything thrown at it, as long as it has some mental strength previous squads have been lacking.
Tags: Achievers, Arjen Robben, Behest, Bert Van Marwijk, Cambria, Decent Chance, Dirk Kuyt, Euro 2008, Fareast, Finding A Way, First Choice, Font Definitions, Font Format, Football World Cup, Forwards, Jules Rimet Trophy, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Mark Van Bommel, Mso, Orphan, Panose, Paper Source, Rivals, Robin Van Persie, Sans Serif, Solidity, Style Definitions, Style Name, Style Type, Theme Font, Times New Roman, Wesley Sneijder, World Cup 2010, Youngster
World Cup player to watch - Netherlands
Wesley Sneijder is perhaps the best possible representation of Dutch football. Technically proficient, capable of playing with both feet and versatile, he is a throwback to the golden age of Dutch total football. He is the man who makes the Oranje tick.
Bert van Marwijk’s outfit do not contain any superstars. Robin van Persie is the closest thing to a standout player, but the Arsenal man’s injuries and inconsistency means he has not properly established himself at international level. The Netherlands are a strong all-round team whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
The Dutch know Italy triumphed four years ago with a similar lack of star quality and the side should not be underestimated when making your 2010 World Cup predictions. Sneijder will offer the team an excellent creative outlet and his range of passing and energy in midfield make him the focal point of many attacks. Furthermore, it will be no surprise if he features in the contenders for goal of the tournament - as did he after his stunning volley against Italy at Euro 2008.
Sneijder is known in Netherlands as a dead-ball specialist. He delivers free-kicks with power and accuracy, as Inter Milan fans will testify. Most of his goals in his debut season at the San Siro have come from direct free-kicks.
A veteran of three major tournaments at the age of 25, Sneijder has experience as well as youthful energy. A hot-headed streak still needs to be controlled, but his appetite for a midfield battle shows how well-rounded his game is.
Holland’s FIFA World Cup betting odds make them seventh favourites for the tournament and Sneijder will play a key role in any success they might have. He has steel as well as class, which reflects the strength of the Dutch team. They will be hard to beat in South Africa and with Sneijder on song, they could go far.
Tags: Bert Van Marwijk, Creative Outlet, Debut Season, Dutch Football, Dutch Team, Euro 2008, Fifa World Cup, Fifa World Cup Betting Odds, Free Kicks, Greater Than The Sum, Inter Milan, Midfield Battle, Milan Fans, Robin Van Persie, Standout Player, Star Quality, Wesley Sneijder, World Cup Betting Odds, World Cup Predictions, Youthful Energy