Nations League Final

Portugal won the first UEFA Nations League by beating Holland 1-0 at home, at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao. The Dutch had failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia and were in decline until a new batch of Ajax bred youngsters and other rising or in form players were blended together by new national… Continue reading Nations League Final

Ronald Koeman Takes Charge of Holland National Team

After 20 years working at club level (except an early time as the Holland national team’s assistant coach) Ronald Koeman has become Holland National team’s coach. The Dutch’s fortunes have faded in recent years. The team did reach the final of World Cup 2010 in South Africa – losing to Spain – and was a… Continue reading Ronald Koeman Takes Charge of Holland National Team

World Cup 2010 Day 31, A Brief Recap Of The Final

Spain 1-0 Holland Andres Iniesta (116′) Fernando Torres was once again on the bench as Pedro got another start. Holland had their suspended players back and therefore had a full first choice side. The game started unevenly with small fouls, especially by the Dutch, dominating the proceedings. English referee Howard Webb was influencing the game… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 31, A Brief Recap Of The Final

World Cup 2010 Day 26, A Brief Recap

Uruguay 2-3 Holland Diego Forlan (41′) Maxi Pereira (90′) Giovanni Van Bronckhorst (18′) Wesley Sneijder (70′) Arjen Robben (73′) This semi final started with Holland looking the more assured. Even though Holland were missing key players Gregory van der Weil and Nigel De Jong due to suspension they seemed not to be affected defensively or… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 26, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 22, A Brief Recap

Holland 2-1 Brazil Felipe Melo (og 53′) Wesley Sneijder (68′) Robinho (10′) This game was a chippy one with the likes of Michel Bastos, Felipe Melo and Mark van Bommel not far from getting themselves ejected. Brazil dominated early possession and at moments played a classic crisp passing game. Andre Ooijer starting for the injured… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 22, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 18, A Brief Recap

Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia Arjen Robben (18′) Wesley Sneijder (84′) Robert Vittek (pen 90′) Slovakia came into the match having only beaten a poor Italian team but otherwise not impressing at all. Holland were efficient and had done enough and may be a bit more. The flow of the game was predictable and Arjen Robben getting… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 18, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 14, A Brief Recap

Slovakia 3 – 2 Italy Robert Vittek (25′ 73′) Kamil Kopunek (89′) Antonio Di Natale (81′) Fabio Quagliarella (90′) Italy crashed out of the World Cup making it the second time a reigning champion has gone at the group stage after France suffered the same fate in 2002. Slovakia came into the match having disappointed… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 14, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 9, A Brief Recap

Holland 1-0 Japan Wesley Sneijder (53′) The first half was fortress Japan as the Asians defended well and didn’t let the Europeans do much at all. The second half necessitated a more open match because Sneijder scored early. He shot hard from the edge of the box, his shot was not properly handled by Japan… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 9, A Brief Recap

World Cup 2010 Day 4, A Brief Recap

Holland 2-0 Denmark Daniel Agger (og 46′) Dirk Kuyt (85′) Holland, as expected, were fluid at times but Denmark, also as expected, held their own. Denmark however lacked the skills shown by their opponents and were undone by the own goal. The Second Dutch goal exemplified at least one case of enthusiasm and work rate… Continue reading World Cup 2010 Day 4, A Brief Recap