Mexico is playing much better than Costa Rica though (IMO Costa Rica's style of play will suffer against Greece since they know how to go defensive too).Mexico and Costa Rica are no pushovers but yes, Holland should comfortably beat them.
The MirrorManchester United new boss Van Gaal under fire from Dutch for ditching Total Football
Dutch national team boss Louis van Gaal is under fire from their fans – despite eliminating Spain to steer his side into the World Cup last 16.
While Van Gaal’s team will take on Mexico in Fortaleza on Sunday as the tournament top scorers, the Manchester United manager-in-waiting is being slaughtered for abandoning Holland’s Total Football traditions.
Van Gaal has been accused of 'abomination' football - adopting the 'catenaccio' style devised by Inter Milan in the 1960s, for ditching Holland’s usual three striker formation, going five at the back and playing on the counter through Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie
Even Van Gaal’s protege, Ajax boss Frank De Boer, stepped into the debate when asked if he planned to adopt the same tactics next term.
De Boer said: "My heart says no. Even if we play Barcelona I want to play dominant football. I will not change that so quickly."
Van Gaal, never short of self-belief, or contempt for his critics, is bristling at the stick, his relationship with the Dutch media on the brink.
"I am not interested in what anybody has to say about how we play," he insisted. "The only thing that matters is that you score one more than the opponent. I’ve said that from the start of this World Cup.
Ironically, Holland’s Thursday training session at Flamengo’s Estadio Jose Bastos Padilha was gate-crashed by Zico, the star of Brazil’s great 1982 team which found itself eliminated by Italy.
And while the criticism keeps coming, Van Gaal’s players are backing their soon to be former manager.
Robben, who has been brilliant so far, said: "I know what people are saying back home but me feelings are not as negative.
"We have already done more than I expected. If we beat Mexico, we can go to the Final. It’s simple – we just have to win the next three and we WILL be in the Final."
Wesley Sneijder has also backed the coach, admitting: "I’m not world-class like I was four years ago. Now I have to be a worker."
And PSV Eindhoven skipper and midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum insisted: "It’s not just about beautiful football. In the World Cup, it’s about the result.
"Everyone must be subordinate to the team. Our football might not always be as beautiful and as everyone wants to see, but we’re getting results.
"For years we have been a symbol of good, positive and attractive football.
"But the only thing we’ve won in 40 years was the European Championships in 1988. If you can’t win by playing beautiful football, you just have to win. We are a fighting machine."
Yes, there is a lot of criticism about our play which I find utterly bizarre. They call it defensive, but well, I think a 10 - 3 goal differential after 3 games says a lot (and I think like 29 attempts on target or something, not sure). I just don't see how you can call that catenaccio. I guess we don't try to dominate games like we usually try to, but attempting that now would probably have lead to absolutely nothing. Van Gaal is just playing to the team's strength, and I find it spectacular. Even the game against Chile, I mean, they created 0 chances and we seemed in full control of the match to me, despite letting them make the play, and it showed in goal scoring attempts and chances, simply very well executed.The Mirror
Any Dutch fans on here? Is this true? It seems crazy to me, Holland have been great so far.
It's crazy on so many levels. Didn't the Dutch have low exceptions going into the World Cup? I remember a few people saying they would be happy if they finish third and now they're one of the favourites to win it, if I was Dutch I would be over the moon.Yes, there is a lot of criticism about our play which I find utterly bizarre. They call it defensive, but well, I think a 10 - 3 goal differential after 3 games says a lot (and I think like 29 attempts on target or something, not sure). I just don't see how you can call that catenaccio. I guess we don't try to dominate games like we usually try to, but attempting that now would probably have lead to absolutely nothing. Van Gaal is just playing to the team's strength, and I find it spectacular. Even the game against Chile, I mean, they created 0 chances and we seemed in full control of the match to me, despite letting them make the play, and it showed in goal scoring attempts and chances, simply very well executed.
The Dutch are just very critical and cynical though, doubt in many other countries there would be such talk after the group phase we just had.
Yes. Well, before the tournament I thought expectations were ridiculously low and I would've been really disappointed not to make it out of the group. Considering the draw though, a second round match (and most probably knockout) against Brazil seemed a very likely scenario. I personally am over the moon and hope very much it doesn't all end in anti-climax (so at least semi's(though I'll still be disappointed with anything less winning the WC I'm afraid)).It's crazy on so many levels. Didn't the Dutch have low exceptions going into the World Cup? I remember a few people saying they would be happy if they finish third and now they're one of the favourites to win it, if I was Dutch I would be over the moon.
Plus, I don't think you guys have the players to play Total Football even if LVG wanted to. Honestly though, I'm liking the football Netherlands are playing, I mean the Spain match was just awesome, how can anyone complain after that?
How modest.Wesley Sneijder has also backed the coach, admitting: "I’m not world-class like I was four years ago. Now I have to be a worker."
Yes, it's easier on the eye. It's counter-attacking football and I'm not convinced they'll necessarily have the tools to break down another team that plays them at their own game. But compared to 2010, there's more attacking verve with Robben and Van Persie.I don't know, they look a damn sight better than 2010 now. But I could be biased by Van Gaal.
Have you read David Winner's Brilliant Orange? It reconciles the Dutch psyche with their way of playing football, an excellent read. My favourite football book, by quite a mile.the Dutch are very much of the Wesley Snipes in White Men Cant Jump school: look good first, win second. Its how the country reconciled the loss of the 1974 and 78 WC Finals, especially the former. They had to console themselves with the moral victory of playing the best, and being the best, even if they didnt win, to the point many succeeded in convincing themselves it is actually more important.
I dont know whether this attitude is dying out, they have been more pragmatic in the last couple of WCs so maybe the younger generation will see things differently.
Have you read David Winner's Brilliant Orange? It reconciles the Dutch psyche with their way of playing football, an excellent read. My favourite football book, by quite a mile.
Van Gaal does get some neg rep from Johnny Repp in it though.
The Simon Kuper books are very good - tho I have only read Why England Lose. Fascinating stuff.
My favourite football book of all time is Brilliant Orange. Though it is very old and may not be that interesting for anyone not interested in Dutch football.
Indeed I have. Brilliant book.I was reading an interview with Johnny Rep last night, one chapter in the book Brilliant Orange (which is a great book by the way, if anyone is fascinated by the Dutch).
He was not very flattering about Van Gaal. Mainly saying his football is boring because he wont let his players take risks, he hates players who dribble because they risk losing the ball, his teams have no soul.
Just one man's opinion, and hardly the most important or credible person either. But someone who knows a lot about Dutch football and the context of Van Gaal's philosophy.
I dont take it too seriously. I cant say much about his Barca or Munich teams but I remember the Ajax team of the mid 90s, I fell in love with that team and have had a soft spot for Ajax and Holland ever since (hence why I read and reread Brilliant Orange.)
Guus Hiddink.On another note, has it been announced who will take the reigns of the national once van Gaal is ours?
Didnt we say that about Capello? Didnt we learn from that experience that English footballers cant do tactics?Imagine what Van Gal could do with England.
True, although i feel like Van Gal has more charisma, players just didnt really respond to Capello.Didnt we say that about Capello? Didnt we learn from that experience that English footballers cant do tactics?
Definitely happier imagining this.True, although i feel like Van Gal has more charisma, players just didnt really respond to Capello.
Imagine what he can do with United
Mourinho, not getting credit?Mou plays with same philosophy as Holland. I don't see Mou getting so much credit like what Holland is suddenly getting now.
Need to get through it again, hopefully before the Netherlands reach the final.Indeed I have. Brilliant book.
An international coach fits the system to the players available, a team coach buys the players to fit a system, bit of a differenceMou plays with same philosophy as Holland. I don't see Mou getting so much credit like what Holland is suddenly getting now.
They have to offer to take Dennis Bergkamp along as well, he'd love it.http://www.espnfc.us/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/1917372/world-cup-win-will-send-dutch-to-space
I thought this was a cool little article and it would be quite an award if it were to happen.
The style is totally, completely different than 2010. In 2010, every match we completely dominated and our opponents dug themselves in, leading to very boring matches, but not due to any Dutch defensive tactics. They were just completely in control then (bar the first half against Brazil and the final against Spain) but it wasn't spectacular. This time we play the counter attack. It's evidenced in possession stats, where in 2010 we were 3rd only behind Spain and Germany. This time I believe we're like 20th(ish) in possession. Just completely different styles.They got the result, but the style is same as in 2010. Not my favorite, but they get the job done.
Good point. Its interesting seeing the shift in Dutch and German football. The Dutch are playing more like Germans and the Germans are playing more like the Dutch. Mind you it was Van Gaals influence at Bayern Munich that caused this shift in German football.the Dutch are very much of the Wesley Snipes in White Men Cant Jump school: look good first, win second. Its how the country reconciled the loss of the 1974 and 78 WC Finals, especially the former. They had to console themselves with the moral victory of playing the best, and being the best, even if they didnt win, to the point many succeeded in convincing themselves it is actually more important.
I dont know whether this attitude is dying out, they have been more pragmatic in the last couple of WCs so maybe the younger generation will see things differently.
With all due respect you are rewriting history. Holland never dominated a single game in the world cup. They usually took an early lead and then defended deep the whole game. The attack was very disjointed and lacked cohesion. Robben was an individual, Kuyt was a defensive winger and RvP was left on an Island all by himself with zero support. Holland also played two defensive midfielders who barely ventured outside their half.The style is totally, completely different than 2010. In 2010, every match we completely dominated and our opponents dug themselves in, leading to very boring matches, but not due to any Dutch defensive tactics. They were just completely in control then (bar the first half against Brazil and the final against Spain) but it wasn't spectacular. This time we play the counter attack. It's evidenced in possession stats, where in 2010 we were 3rd only behind Spain and Germany. This time I believe we're like 20th(ish) in possession. Just completely different styles.
Holland never dominated a single game? They played in the group against Denmark, Japan and Cameroon, in that order. None of them did any more than try to hold on for a draw. Then Slovakia in round of 16, same story. Then Brazil, for which I excluded the first half. Then Uruguay, which was a fairly open match I guess, but definitely Dutch dominated, then the final against Spain. Which I also excluded as being dominated by Netherlands. The possession stat I'll try to google, but I got it from a physical magazine, Voetbal International, which is a highly reputable source. Not rewriting history at all. Name me one of those matches which Netherlands didn't dominate.Early lead then defending deep also simply isn't true at all. Think you're just going by conjecture here.With all due respect you are rewriting history. Holland never dominated a single game in the world cup. They usually took an early lead and then defended deep the whole game. The attack was very disjointed and lacked cohesion. Robben was an individual, Kuyt was a defensive winger and RvP was left on an Island all by himself with zero support. Holland also played two defensive midfielders who barely ventured outside their half.
I would also like to see those posession stats, i really doubt Holland had the 3rd highest possession in the tournement.