The versatile Dutch will enter this summer's World Cup looking for their first title. The Oranje are considered by many to be the best country to never have won a World Cup. This summer's team will be very talented and may have as good a shot as any previous teams to finally win a World Cup.
Holland had little trouble qualifying for the World Cup, going on a stretch of eight straight wins and only conceding two goals in those games, the Oranje looked to be at top form. Holland was the first European nation to qualify for South Africa.
Holland's skipper Bert Van Marwijk will likely stick to the 4-5-1 formation that his predecessor Marco Van Basten ran to so much success. Van Marwijk has been very loyal to his players and has faith in them.
The Netherlands will be competing in their 9th World Cup and will try to advance past the Round of 16 for the first time since 1998. In the years the Dutch qualified for the tournament, they have had a rich World Cup history. Perhaps their best years were in the '70s where they reached two World Cup finals before losing to West Germany and Argentina. The Dutch also have a quarter-final and semi-final finish and have only failed to reach the second round in their first two tournaments in '34 and '38.
This years team will depend on Arsenal's Robin Van Persie. Van Persie will likely start at outside mid, but may also see some time up front or in the middle. Holland wont rely soley on Van Persie, as stars Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Marc Van Bommel, and Nigel De Jong help to fill out their star-studded roster.
Although he was benched by former Holland coach Marco Van Basten at Ajax, Maarten Tekelenburg is expected to keep the starting spot in goal in South Africa.
It's no doubt the Dutch have a star-studded line-up, with players full of creativity and a strong defensive presence. South Africa will be a great test for Holland, along with many other European teams, to see how they can play in World Cups outside of their continent (No World Cup has been won by a European nation outside of Europe). The Dutch will be looking to silence the critics and finally win their first World Cup.
Coach-
Bert Van Marwijk
The skipper took charge in August of 2008 and has made very few changes to the line-up since his predecessor Marco Van Basten left.
Key Players-
Robin Van Persie
If Van Persie is in form, his creative midfield play will make the sky the limit for this Dutch squad.
Arjen Robben
The Bayern Munich midfielder will compliment Van Persie in one of the best and deepest midfields in the tournament.
Dirk Kuyt
The Liverpool striker scored 3 goals in 8 games in qualifying and will lead the Dutch attack in South Africa.
Maarten Stekelenburg
The Holland keeper will look to silence the critics that are begging Edwin Van der Sar to come out of retirement. Stekelenburg will have a lot to prove and South Africa would be a great starting point.
2010 World Cup Schedule:
Netherlands vs. Denmark, Johanesburg, South Africa, June 14th
Netherlands vs. Japan, Durban, South Africa, June 19th
Netherlands vs. Cameroon, Cape Town, South Africa, June 24th
Next Up:
New Zealand
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