Dutch thread

LOL at Sooky Sooky La La Mutu!

So, Russia it is then.

They absolutely destroyed Sweden. It's going to be a tough game. They play very attacking football though which may play into our hands.

If Guus knocks us out he's going to be killed!

Looking forward to this match now early on Sunday morning i believe. On form it looks like a very good game, Holland 3 from 3 have absolutely obliterated their Group C opponents, especially the two World Cup finalists, Russia have just hit form after a poor start against Spain. Both sides like to play attacking football and honestly i can't really see this match being an exception.

ORANJE!!!

Russia looked pretty good this morning but the mighty Dutch have looked better so far. Should be a good game, go ORANJE!

I'd expect Russians to be quite cagey in the quarter final. They played attacking football against Spain and got spanked, and I'm sure Hiddink will have learned his lesson.
The Dutch strongest point is the counter-attack where their speed on the wings really comes to the fore. So I'd be very surprised if the Russian fullbacks push as far forward as they did in group games.

The Russians didn't have Arshavin v Spain. He makes an amazing difference to their team. They will attack vs us - mark my words. It's Guus. valeo2008-06-20 00:42:42

Arshavin adds a lot to the Russians in the offensive third, but what's also made them impressive is the way their fullbacks push forward (especially Zhirkov on the left) and create overlaps that stretch the opposition defence. Against Spain, however, this worked against them as Spain had the quality to quickly transition the ball to their forwards before the Russian fullbacks were back in position and then Torres and Villa used their pace to create the problems for the Russian central-defenders for whom pace is obviously not the defining characteristic.
Given that the Dutch have the same quailities in this respect, I'd be amazed if Hiddink doesn't look to keep his fullbacks at home lot more, even if that takes away some of their attacking edge. Not saying that the Russians won't look to attack, just that they may take a more cautious and measured approach in their attacking build-up in order to neutralise their opponents main strength.

I concur El Grap. They'll have to do things a lot differently, leaving gaps in behind for the Dutch to get into is a slippery slope to annihilation.

2213: FULL-TIME Netherlands 1-3 Russia AET

Dutch were crap, looked completely different to the team playing in the group stage.

Van der Vaart became a ghost. And as I said in another post, RVP hopeless, Heitinga caught out. Arshavin just dominated.

I liked what I saw of the Dutch earlier in the tournament but I was going for Russia in this match and am really happy with the result.  

We played terribly. Russia dominated.

The Dutch just didn't get going. van der Vaart, was, as Linds said, anonymous, van Bronckhorst did bugger all and, sadly, only Sneijder played to potential.

Not really sure what to say about that. Russia played very well and credit to them. Some contentious calls there for sure but i think Russia deserved the win in the end.

We've got two years to get it right. I still believe in this team.

Gutted, my 2 yearly cycle of misery continues

i want to cry. damn u guus!

Winning the group obviously hasn't been the thing to do in this tournament - all three group winners so far have been knocked out. Bet you the Spanish are quaking in their boots right now.

Holland will never win anything with a striker like van Nistelrooy there. Pavlyuchenko is a class act for him, can use his height with dribbling skills and passing. van Nistelrooy is only a poacher and cant dribble. The Dutch didnt have any skill in the attacking third which is the key to unlocking defences.

UberGunner2008-06-22 18:53:47

Dutch were exposed at the back. Oijer far too slow. he should have dealt with both goals in extra time. Russians were too quick and too clever for the Russians in and around the box.

A real pity the dutch didn't make it, they were playing excellent football. You can't deny Mr Hiddink's class though.

Robben was a big loss for the Dutch. That guy really put some steel into the team just by the way he attacked the ball.