Netherlands Team for 2010 World Cup

In the 1970’s the Dutch national team was known for mastering the art of Total football and they reached the final of the FIFA World Cup consecutively in 1974 and 1978 losing both to West Germany and Argentina becoming the runners-up at both the World Cups.

Coach Bert van Marwijk hopes to guide the team to the Cup that has eluded them on two occasions despite having the best technique and some of the most multi-talented players in the world.

 

The Flying Dutchmen have accomplished something the World Cup qualifiers have not seen since 1982, reaching the World Cup finals without dropping a single match point, winning all eight of the games played in the qualifiers. The clockwork orange made quick work of all the teams in Group 9, winning all eight matches to secure their berth at the most important event in the world of football.

 

After Edwin van der Saar and Ruud van Nistelrooy retired from international football, Van Marwijk has called on younger talents Arjen Robben, Joris Mathijsen, Andre Ooijer, Dirk Kuyt, Mark van Bommel, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Giovanni van Bronckhorst to to be part of the World cup squad. The Flying Dutchmen have a tightly knit squad with some of the most talented players including Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie apart from the names mentioned above.

Coach Bert van Marwijk has tasted success with other teams before he was given the responsibility of coaching the National team. He guided Feyenoord to the UEFA Cup trophy in 2002 and took on the Dutch national team after his two-year stint at Borussia Dortmund. With support from former players Phillip Cocu and Frank de Boer as assistant coaches, Van Marwijk intends to continue using Marco van Basten’s 4-2-3-1 formation in the World Cup finals as he feels the players are used to the formation.

 

The fourth place at the FIFA World Cup 1998, the Dutch team looks forward to finally getting their hands on the most coveted football trophy in the world, with an impeccable run through the qualifiers which they intend to carry on through the finals.

 

The Pre-World Cup list of players for Netherlands is given below.