Van Basten to Bow Out in Style with Oranje?

Scott Musgrave

Not since the playing days of Marco van Basten have the Dutch tasted victory at a major international tournament, but is this year the time to turn that around and is the former great the man to do it?

The Netherlands have always been one of the top producers of footballing talent in Europe and the world, with more than a hatful of well sort-after youngsters coming out from the ranks of the Eredivisie to make it as international superstars. However one thing that tends to fail them is their success, or lack thereof, at International level.  A single Euro ’88 title is the only silverware in the Dutch cabinet which is all but an insult for a country that boasts so many quality players.

Marco Van Basten, the current coach of the Oranje, at the beginning of his tenure made it his business to make a team that would compete and win Euro 2008, and after a relatively disappointing World Cup exit in the round of 16 to Portugal, the pressure is on for a young squad to show something for its labours instead of abstract failure.

The Squad

Since Van Basten took over as Oranje head coach he has cleared out some of the dead wood to allow for young talent to take its place.

So here’s a brief run down of the current players considered for inclusion in the tournament and their attributes, weaknesses and strengths.

Goalkeepers

Edwin Van Der Sar (Manchester United): The ever reliable Dutch custodian will be in the sticks again for the Oranje at yet another major international tournament. Although growing in age, the captain is always solid at the back and is still regarded as one of the better goalkeepers around.

Maarten Stekelenberg (Ajax Amsterdam): The successor to Van Der Sar when he hangs up his boots, Stekelenberg still has a long way to go to fill the boots of the great Manchester United keeper. Not greatly tested at international level and still young and learning, will probably play 3rd fiddle to V.d. Sar and Timmer.

Henk Timmer (Feyenoord Rotterdam):  More than likely the back-up for Edwin having the most experience. A solid keeper when called upon but like Van Der Sar, beginning to age. Not as quick as he once was but still worth keeping in the squad. Has been in many of Van Basten’s previous squad including the 2006 World Cup.

Defenders

John Heitinga (Ajax Amsterdam): The main stalwart at the back for Holland. Extremely reliable and versatile, mostly played at right or centre back, a key player for the Dutch.

Andre Ooijer (Blackburn Rovers): One of the old guard enjoying a new lease of life after a serious injury. Ooijer has broken into the Oranje squad as a main starter at centre-half, will definitely see action provided he remains injury free.

Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV): The former AZ man faces stiff competition for a starting place however Van Basten tends to favour him so he’ll probably start instead of Ooijer.

Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic): Melchiot has surprised many in Holland with his surprise recall to the national team. Has been relatively solid for Wigan and the Dutch in recent games, will probably start.

Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa): The former PSV left-back will face competition from Van Bronckhorst and De Cler for a starting place but will feature. Another recall from after the World Cup debacle, doubtful whether he’ll be more than a squad player though.

Tim De Cler (Feyenoord Rotterdam):  De Cler has featured reasonably heavily in recent games and will probably command a first-team place provided Gio stays in midfield. Solid left-back even if Feyenoord’s defensive record suggests otherwise.

Midfielders

Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven) : The young midfielder has had a coming out season with the Dutch champions featuring heavily as a creative threat in both the European and domestic campaigns. With Clarence Seedorf’s withdrawal from the squad he could be seen as a replacement for the AC Milan star.

Giovanni Van Bronkhorst (Feyenoord Rotterdam): Old man Gio will strut his stuff again at another international tournament. He, like Van Der Sar have been with the Oranje for countless years and his experience in midfield will definitely be something Van Basten will be looking to.

Orlando Engelaar (FC Twente): The Enchede captain has only recently put himself into figuring for the national squad with simply outstanding form for Twente in the Eredivisie. Another possible replacement for Seedorf as he has a similar-ish playing style.

Nigel De Jong (Hamburg SV): Defensive midfielder by trade but has been more of a utility man in his career. Generally a bit player with the Oranje since his move to Germany but may figure due to the loss of Philiip Cocu after the World Cup and the refusal of Mark Van Bommel to play under Van Basten.

Denny Landzaat (Feyenoord Rotterdam): Another vying for a central midfield place, will most likely be a bit player for the Oranje as he has never been anything spectacular. Expect to see Sneijder and Van Der Vaart in the creative spaces instead.

Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid): A key man in midfield and a danger from set pieces. The Madrid playmaker will definitely have influence in more than his fair share of games. After his early brilliant showing for Real he has taken a dive in form but is expected to take a jump up, hopefully in time for the Euros. One to look out for.

Rafael Van Der Vaart (Hamburg SV): Another key man in midfield, if he and Sneijder are coupled together even your grandmother could score goals. A brilliant passer of the ball and definitely a goal threat. Watch out for this man, a mooted big club move is in store for the future and he’ll want to impress.

Demy De Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar):  Mostly under-utilised and may well be culled from the provisional squad. A solid defensive midfielder but his poor club form may well count against him. Still young so more than likely to figure in the future if he doesn’t make the squad.

Forwards

Ryan Babel (Liverpool): Coming out of his shell at Liverpool and the young forward has impressed for the English Club solidifying his spot at left-wing. More than likely going to play second-fiddle to Robben and Van Persie as in the last World Cup.

Klass-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax Amsterdam):  Despite impressive form at domestic level before the World Cup he was surprisingly left out of the squad in favour of an U-21 European Championship. Undoubtedly the top marksmen in the Eredivisie for another season and will probably move on after the Euros. Very capable finisher and header of the ball, more than likely the successor to Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool):  Van Basten has had a love/hate relationship with Kuyt and it is understandable why. Not the most reliable finisher but supposedly makes up for it with enthusiasm and work ethic. Wouldn’t surprise me if he was dropped from the final squad as he is probably the most ineffective of the Oranje forwards.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid):  Brilliant record at international level and will no doubt be the man to put the goals in yet again. A key man for the Dutch and will no doubt play a big role in whether Holland wins or loses games.

Robin van Persie (Arsenal):  After coming back from a major injury that put him out for most of the second half of the season, Van Persie is back in the fold. Having a reasonable record at international level and the ability to ‘turn it on’ he will be a formidable force if he plays. Fitness will be a worry but he will more than likely play a role.

Arjen Robben (Real Madrid): Big man for the Dutch, if he can shake off the injury plagues he’ll be right on track to destroy teams. He may lack in goalscoring ability at times but is definitely not one to shy away from a challenge. Scored the Dutch’s first goal at the World Cup and will more than likely be willing the complete that spectacle again. Big threat if in form.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Glasgow Celtic):  Another target man who has been consistent for Celtic in their domestic and European campaigns. A bit player for a long time but is beginning to come into his stride. A strong centre-forward although he may miss out on a spot in the final squad to his more prestigious colleagues.

Coach

To much disdain Marco Van Basten is still in charge for the Euros and will be on the way out after the tournament to be replaced by Bert Van Marwijk.

Van Basten has been the focus of much contempt from many Oranje fans with his inability to change tactics when needed and his unwillingness to reconcile with players. The arrogant former AC Milan man hasn’t made too many friends during his tenure and can only hope for better when he hits club management.

Previous to his appointment as head coach he was plying his trade in the Ajax reserves as a coach. It is beyond me why the KNVB put into place a man of so little experience to start with particularly when you look at the other available candidates. Look at Fred Rutten, Louis van Gaal, Huub Stevens, or even Ronald Koeman! Someone has to question the sanity of the football board in Holland but the decision was made and very little progress has been made since.

Van Basten tends to employ the traditional Dutch 4-3-3 which can be rather fragile when it comes to defending. Dutch fans everywhere have been in outcry as to why he refuses to change to a more conservative, but effective, 4-4-2 system. Being backed by Holland legend Johan Cruijff hasn’t helped matters as the conservative players of the past seem to cling onto tradition and not what will be successful.

However, recently Van Basten has deployed 4-4-2 formations in the later qualifiers to much acclaim and success.

Not without controversy, the big man has a lot to learn in management before tackling the international scene again.

Group Stage

The Dutch face a veritable group of death against the likes of World Cup finalists France, World Cup Winners Italy and a thorn in qualifying, Romania.

For the first time in a long time it looks as though the Dutch are going to have to hit the ground running just to get out of the group. Many pundits reckon that the Oranje will more than likely not qualify with France and Italy going through but they may well surprise. Let us not forget the 2002 World Cup flop by France where they failed to qualify from the group as reigning champions. Italy also are not without their problems but will still be a staunch test.

Romania finally will be smiling about their qualification and subsequent victory over the Dutch but in major tournaments the Dutch turn on the style occasionally.

As a supporter of the national team of the Netherlands, I have to be as optimistic as possible, but in all reality we will more than likely go out against Italy and France and maybe salvage something against Romania. It’s not going to be a happy tournament for Oranje fans.

Unless they pull a can of whoop-ass out against the big guns they’ll be packing up early. Holland’s defensive record will see to that.

View from the Country

The Dutch public are used to failure and I can see the same sinking feeling happening in the hearts of many. Although our history is proud we’re up against it.  However the feeling would be that if we make it out of the group stages we’ll have just as good a chance as anyone at taking the cup. When it gets to knockout football anything can happen and it is with that optimism that we fans go on with.

Van Basten is going to be turfed out at the end of the tournament which will delight many but may well blur his focus.

Writer’s Verdict

I can only see disappointment and failure on the horizon with too much quality stacked against us. If there’s anything we lack, it’s defensive solidarity. It has probably been since the retirement of Frank de Boer and Jaap Stam that we haven’t had any defenders of note that were to be feared across the continent. Ooijer , Mathijsen and Heitinga are capable but hardly the quality we need to go up against the likes of Fabio Quagliarella, Luca Toni, Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka and even Adrian Mutu. Unless we score more goals than the opposition I can’t see anything but a loss or a lucky draw.

Our strength is definitely in our attacking options and we are going to have to hope they can stay mobile enough and keep the opposition defenders pinned down in their own half. We have the quality up front to score more than our fair share of goals and more than enough creative players to make them, it all comes down to defending. Italy’s counter-attacking style will more than likely take apart our defence so our best chances lie against France and Romania. Although filled with quality (France) and unknown quantity (Romania) there is an air about that says we can do the job and at least come second in our group.

A quarter-final appearance is not out of the question although we will have to fight every inch for it.

Hopefully our boys will make the country proud in any case.