G6 Team Profile: NETHERLANDS
The keys to Dutch World Cup success will be on opposite ends of the field. Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy on offense and goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar on defense. But there's a lot of quality in between.
Nistelrooy (Manchester United), a lethal marksman, will have to score goals, something he seems to have little problem doing. One the other end, 6’5” goalkeeper and team captain Van der Sar (Manchester United) is one of the best in the game. With over 100 caps for his country, he is also the veteran leader the team will look to. If these two players continue to perform as they have Holland’s road to Berlin will be much easier.
Coach Marco van Basten has so far done an outstanding job mixing young, relatively unknown players with established stars. Among the players who have recently flourished are Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Khalid Boulahrouz (Hamburger SV) and Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax). Forward Arjen Robben (Chelsea) is also a weapon. And midfielders Wesley Sneijder (Ajax) and Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV) are coming into their own.
Holland has twice finished second in the World Cup. In the 1974 final in Germany, the Dutch had an early lead but eventually lost to the host country. Now that the tournament is again being played in neighboring Germany, they would love to take the trophy in the home of their archrivals. Holland will have the talent to do so but will they once again fall short? Surviving group play could be tough and a key game will be against Ivory Coast.
Comments
Go Netherlands!
Go Nistelrooy is the best
Posted by: HOLLAND | May 23, 2006 10:38 PM
Holland is going to dominate! Davids can beat anybody!
Posted by: HollandFan10 | May 24, 2006 07:26 AM
Holland is a good team, and i expect them to do well with a favorable group. Anything less than the quarter finals would be a disapointment.
Posted by: Brandon | May 24, 2006 10:41 AM
Yes holland is a good team but if they make it to the 3rd round how will they do
Posted by: elNiNo | May 24, 2006 01:37 PM
Van Nistelrooy = Golden Boot!
Posted by: drtch0ck | May 24, 2006 02:20 PM
I like your enthusiasm "Holland", but if Davids is going to beat anyone, it won't be at the World Cup. He didn't make the squad. Surprisingly neither did Roy Makaay and several other high profile players. Van Basten has gone with youth and a lot of domestic-based players, so we'll see how that decision pays off. But with Ruud putting them in and van der Sar keeping them out, they are going to be a handful for anyone.
Posted by: Heath Young | May 24, 2006 03:11 PM
Well, if Holland survive the Group of Death, they will have a potential 2nd round match with either Mexico or Portugal. They've got a tough road in front of them.
Posted by: ForzaItalia | May 24, 2006 05:47 PM
Blah Blah Blah... They are the "Lost Generation" of great players and will prove it in Germany. Tot ziens NL!
Posted by: Thomas | May 25, 2006 10:09 AM
my mama could beat holland on her own. holland is the worst team in the cup!
Posted by: yo mama | May 27, 2006 04:47 PM
with hollands fifa ranking at 3rd, i highly doubt they are the worst team in the world cup. good words of wisdom, considering you probably dont know anything about futbol.
Posted by: Brandon | May 28, 2006 09:32 AM
brandon, i am totally a soccer nut and could beat you any day. holland is definitely the worst team. ok?
Posted by: yo mama | May 28, 2006 04:00 PM
HOLLAND StInks and Ivory Coast will win it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: yo mama | May 28, 2006 04:01 PM
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Ivory Coast!!!!!!!!
Posted by: yo mama | May 28, 2006 04:02 PM
brandon, i totally no about football. My favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers!
Posted by: yo mama | May 28, 2006 04:12 PM
holland rox my sox!!!!!!!!!!!!(yo mama is retarted)HOLLAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: dude | May 28, 2006 08:53 PM
Yes you obveously know alot about "soccer", because holland is the worst team in the world cup right? If you really knew alot about it, you would know holland is not the worst team in the world cup, not even close! And why are you all caught up on the ivory coast. Drogba is the most overated striker in the world.
Posted by: Brandon | May 30, 2006 09:56 AM
Ik haat dat kut voetbal!
Posted by: Rocarno the third | May 31, 2006 01:34 PM
holland is going to win it all.
Posted by: mike | May 31, 2006 04:42 PM
i love Ivory Coast!!!
Posted by: yo mama | May 31, 2006 04:46 PM
Go holland and italy thumbs up for you hope you do well.
Posted by: kieran heneke south africa | June 2, 2006 03:50 AM
all u jealous duch haters just wait and see, and do not tell me i did not tell u so.DUCH FOOTBALL FOR LIFE BABY FOR LIFE
Posted by: yaron | June 2, 2006 02:59 PM
I'll try to put this to good use immiedately.
Posted by: Fleta | January 6, 2012 09:49 AM