OranjeCafe: The Netherlands at the World Cup

[redefw]

He's not though is he? He was very good in the group stages, the stand out performer against Spain, but he was woeful today until the final quarter of the game, and he cheated to get his team through, and by that I mean the entire second half, not just the penalty incident. Massive over-exaggeration on his performances, bit cringeworthy.

8/9 take ons, 4 chances created and 100% passing accuracy is pretty good in my book. He could most probably have stayed on his feet so it shoulden`t have been a penealty, but lets not forget that he was denied two penalties in the same incident in the first half, not that it gives him any right to cheat. Imo the Netherlands would have been completely lost without him and apart from the goals i still think the Netherlands are more dependent on robben than what the Argentine are on messi.

 

[GloryHunter07]

Now they write Van Gaal has ended "the Dutch School"/ total football after a very impressive qualifying with attacking 4-4-3

I hope we play that next season

 

[Gladiator]

They(team) are quite good, but mostly due the van Gaal combined with van Persie and Robben. Individually, they aren't that good.

so....why should that matter?

 

[imperi]

Robben was immense tonight, just watched the highlights and every attack goes through him. Maybe he did not score, or he had no assists but he was a great threat. Also the mental aspect of the game, he kept going on (same as Kuyt), kept coaching, shouting at players motivating them... Without Robben this would have been a win for Mexico.

 

[Amar__]

so....why should that matter?

Because their players are presented in media like they all are extremely talented and it seems like lot of people here agree with media for some reason.

 

[Gladiator]

Because their players are presented in media like they all are extremely talented and it seems like lot of people here agree with media for some reason.

which media? dutch media dont seem to see it that way

 

[Gladiator]

Robben was immense tonight, just watched the highlights and every attack goes through him. Maybe he did not score, or he had no assists but he was a great threat. Also the mental aspect of the game, he kept going on (same as Kuyt), kept coaching, shouting at players motivating them... Without Robben this would have been a win for Mexico.

that's completely unfair to huntelaar who played a part in creating the equalizer which sneijder finished. it's no surprise robben's role puts him in a position of more responsibility. however to put it solely down to him is ridiculous. because even though he won the pen, it would have meant little if huntelaar was unable to put it away

 

[Crackers]

Was at Arcade Fire all evening, and came back to see The Netherlands overcame a deficit and won the game. Excellent!

 

[imperi]

that's completely unfair to huntelaar who played a part in creating the equalizer which sneijder finished. it's no surprise robben's role puts him in a position of more responsibility. however to put it solely down to him is ridiculous. because even though he won the pen, it would have meant little if huntelaar was unable to put it away

Ofcourse it is a team performance, it wasnt Robben doing it all alone, Hunterlaar was very valuable but Robben was indispensable tonight. The main threat was Robben en he forced the win. But again it was a team based succes.

 

[Theon]

Because their players are presented in media like they all are extremely talented and it seems like lot of people here agree with media for some reason.

No media have presented them like that, from what I've read. Virtually all of them have stated it's a relatively average Dutch side, reliant on a superb front line.

 

[TheShedEnd]

still think the Netherlands are more dependent on robben than what Argentine are on messi.

Not even close! Messi has been far more important to Argentina than Robben for Holland, who also have van Persie. Only Messi has turned up for the Argies in this tournament

 

[RedStarUnited]

Klaas came on and his attitude was spot on. Great to see that.

 

[Amar__]

which media? dutch media dont seem to see it that way

No media have presented them like that, from what I've read. Virtually all of them have stated it's a relatively average Dutch side, reliant on a superb front line.

You didn't see headlines like "Manchester United to sign Dutch star" next to almost every player in that squad, first choice or not, and in the text bellow saying how that player would improve our squad, etc..

 

[imperi]

A mate just said that Kuyt ran 11km in direct sunlight (with 39 degrees celsius). LB first half, RB & RW second half so both halfs in direct sunlight. Damn the man is a beast.

Edit: Never mind he was not the only one, Robben ran 11,38km and Sneijder 10,84km.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Good result for Aloysius in the other match. They'll dispense easily with Costa Rica, I reckon. Greece would've been a peskier sort of task.

 

[punpun]

Not even close! Messi has been far more important to Argentina than Robben for Holland, who also have van Persie. Only Messi has turned up for the Argies in this tournament

His goals have. Robben has been more important overall.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

After seeing it about a million times... I've decided, that it probably was a penalty.

 

[united_99]

Ppl here have generally agreed that it is a very average Dutch side. If we want one or two players from that side who are young and have potential, plus are not that expensive, then only because they are already working with LvG and he knows how to use them.

Anyway, I think they will get to the final (yes I actually think they can beat Argentina who bar Messi don't look anything special). But I also think that in the final they/Argentina if they make it will lose to whoever makes it out of France/Germany/Brazil/Columbia.

 

[jimorrison]

4ucking dive by robben. marquez makes no contact, he places his foot on the ground and robben simply dives. if you can't see that then you are clearly blind. robben should have received a yellow earlier for diving and more than likely would not have tried to dive again in the penalty box.

also why did FIFA send a european ref??? wft, shouldn't the ref be from a neutral confederation such as africa, asia or even south america?

Mexico were the better team overall but piojo got his tactics wrong and subs. should have tried to control midfield instead of sitting back and trying to score with a counter.

 

[redpersie]

Robben is such an awesome player

 

[Gladiator]

You didn't see headlines like "Manchester United to sign Dutch star" next to almost every player in that squad, first choice or not, and in the text bellow saying how that player would improve our squad, etc..

youll have to help me out because i've seen nothing like that thus far

 

[Gladiator]

Ofcourse it is a team performance, it wasnt Robben doing it all alone, Hunterlaar was very valuable but Robben was indispensable tonight. The main threat was Robben en he forced the win. But again it was a team based succes.

as others he made a vital contribution. perhaps the most vital contributions. it's not like messi in the iran match where he had to pull magic out of his ass to win the game.

 

[Grunnn123]

LVG is a mastermind in football.
He learns a team multipel formations and switches during the games.
The way he used Kuyt today.... absolutly bonkers.
Three times in four matches he comes behind, changes his formation and wrecks the other side

 

[LoiusVanGaal]

their doing things the United way quality attacking football and grinding out results even when they don't play well or when it's late in the game!

already love LVG and he isn't even our manager yet, he reminds of SAF in a lot of ways so I am super hyped for his reign

 

[gooDevil]

High quality starfish from Robben, Gerrard would be proud.

 

[botond]

there is contact , but robben exaggerated

click for large

 

[dumbo]

I know that it's the convenient narrative (for obvious reasons) but I haven't seen this great team or display of managerial brilliance others are describing. It looks to me like they are surviving on Robben's moments of brilliance and cuntery alone.

 

[Bestie07]

Should have given the penalty and booked Robben at the same time for his starfish. Would have been funny.

 

[drab.]

I'm with dumbo ∆

Acted the twat as per usual and got lucky with by far the softest pen of the tournament so far.

No managerial masterclass here

 

[Shinjisan]

I'm with dumbo ∆

Acted the twat as per usual and got lucky with by far the softest pen of the tournament so far.

No managerial masterclass here

I know that it's the convenient narrative (for obvious reasons) but I haven't seen this great team or display of managerial brilliance others are describing. It looks to me like they are surviving on Robben's moments of brilliance and cuntery alone.

He is the Caf's own Jim Jones at the moment. 90% of the posters would happily drink poison if he mentions it in his press conference.

I read someone post that he is looking forward to the "...same attacking football that the Dutch are playing at moment ".

The football from the Dutch has been slow, boring and tedious. They are depending on one or two moments of genius from Robben or Van Persie to scrape through right now. Rest of it is zombie passing with no real impetus. An attempt to survive the longest without conceding and then winning it with fresh legs from the bench.

Last afternoon's decision was also no tactical master-class. Ven Persie was shot due to the heat and could barely walk.

Van Gaal has achieved godly status for things Sir Alex was regularly criticized for on this forum. His football is built to win at the moment, which is not a bad thing at all, rather than to thrill.

 

[Stanley Road]

I know that it's the convenient narrative (for obvious reasons) but I haven't seen this great team or display of managerial brilliance others are describing. It looks to me like they are surviving on Robben's moments of brilliance and cuntery alone.

LVG changed things around so often the Mexicans did not know who to mark anymore as "their man" was no longer in the same position on the field. He's the reason this dutch team are getting the results that they are

 

[zing]

I know that it's the convenient narrative (for obvious reasons) but I haven't seen this great team or display of managerial brilliance others are describing. It looks to me like they are surviving on Robben's moments of brilliance and cuntery alone.

He's playing shit on a stick and getting away with it.

They look much better with both Depay and Robben on the pitch.

 

[coolredwine]

What do you lot expect with an average side that the Dutch have right now? Whatever he has done with the likes of Vlaar and Kuyt playing as LWB is remarkable.

 

[Shinjisan]

What has he done with Vlaar? He is playing him in a 3 man central defense and Vlaar is still mediocre.

 

[jimorrison]

there is contact , but robben exaggerated

click for large

CTPM !!!! never touches him. dives and ref takes the bait.

 

[RoadTrip]

@jimorrison you're really fecking annoying tbh, you've posted those pictures about 100 times now in a number of threads. They show absolutely nothing, because there may well be contact as he then moves forward.

Useless and annoying. Well done.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

He is at it here too?

 

[jimorrison]

@jimorrison you're really fecking annoying tbh, you've posted those pictures about 100 times now in a number of threads. They show absolutely nothing, because there may well be contact as he then moves forward.

Useless and annoying. Well done.

@ rpitroda , CTPM !!!!! 100x, 4ucking exaggeration. lmao. only posted in 2 threads.

there is no contact, robben dives, ref takes the bait, and Mexico looses.

 

[RoadTrip]

CTPM !!!!! 100x, 4ucking exaggeration. lmao. only posted in 2 threads.

there is no contact, robben dives, ref takes the bait, and Mexico looses.

Great. Now STFU.

 

[77Hill]

@jimorrison you're really fecking annoying tbh, you've posted those pictures about 100 times now in a number of threads. They show absolutely nothing, because there may well be contact as he then moves forward.

Useless and annoying. Well done.

I think jimorrison just proved that it was a penalty. Soft, yes and Robben made sure the whole world was aware of the incident, but the right heel of the Mexican clearly (for me) impedes Robben's left foot (by treading on it).

It's funny how so much effort is being put into proving this was not a penalty yet none whatsoever is being expended to show how the foul on Robben at the end of the first half was a 100% nailed on penalty - which it was.

Such is the life of the biased football fan. I should know because I am one.

And to those suggesting LVG's management has little to do with Holland's progress and that it's all down to one or two great individual performances, well do you honestly think Holland would have achieved what they have with Moyes in charge? Do you believe LVG is not a great manager and won't do any better than Moyes next season? I'm not clear on whether some people are saying that the manager is irrelevant to Holland's progress.

I believe that LVG is doing something few expected and is indeed delivering a managerial masterclass. However, any team that hopes to win the World Cup better have at least one or two truly world class players AND a very good manager.

OK, take Robben out of Holland. But then take Messi out of Argentina, take Neymar out of Brazil (and maybe Cesar) etc. etc.