The picture above tells the story of Dick’s last tenure for Oranje.
Here are the key news items for the Romania game.
No one cares
It’s away, versus Romania
We will field 11 players
Rekik went home, sick.
Mathijs de Ligt plays.
Propper is fit.
Berghuis probably starts.
So does Veltman.
Let’s get it over with.
Sweden beat Italy
The title young Oranje will confuse a bit, so I decided to leave the “young’ out of the title but despite my criticism on LVG, one has to admit that less than 12 months after the Euro 2012 debacle, we have a renewed, rejuvenated and exciting Oranje!
Against Estonia, we didn’t play great for a long spell but didn’t give anything away and scored three goals in an improved second half.
Against Romania, Oranje had flashes of brilliance again and Oranje clearly had its gloss back. Oranje’s best performance under Van Gaal.
Four goals and nothing conceded, nothing given away.
And one has to say: with a new young goalie (with Krul and Vorm and Stekelenburg all available as well) and a new, young but highly talented back four.
Blind, Janmaat, De Vrij and Martins Indi. Add Van Aanholt, Willems, Pieters, Buttner, Bruma, Van Rhijn and Van der Wiel to the mix and we have quite a nice little group to work with for defence.
And with Janmaat and Blind, we also have two players (like Willems, Van Aanholt, Buttner by the way) who can contribute massively in offence.
Janmaat was essential against Estonia and pretty impressive against Romania again. Playing with the confidence of a veteran.
Our midfield is improving too. The mediocre De Guzman and Strootman played a good match against Romania and it must be sweet for Van Gaal to know that whenever he brings Clasie, Maher or Fer, this team will not lose any quality.
Van der Vaart showed enough class to warrant a spot in the squad and his ability to score when we need a goal is something to cherish.
Van Persie and Robben are all class (when in top form or even when they’re not) while Lens is truly an asset whenever he decides to work hard and be focused.
Against Romania, we got the early goal and kept dominating. The 4-0 win was not a surprise, taking the run of play into account. Although we could have had 7 goals if Van Persie and Robben were a tad more sharp in the box and if the linesman wasn’t that eager to use his flag.
And I keep saying: Romania is certainly not a bad side.
So we struggle against teams that park the bus. We know this. Every team does. But we have shown a number of times now, that we can break open their defences if we are patient.
And against teams that leave more space and open up the game, we can play good football and outplay them.
Louis van Gaal must be really pleased.
The team was spirited, worked hard, there was great understanding between most of the lads and they looked like…well….a team.
Raf seems to enjoy his football, as does Robin van Persie. This is another RVP altogether. This is what playing with a number 10 in his back does for him. With Robben, it’s hard to say. His body language and facial expression are hard to read at times, but you read it here first: This team has a shot at the gold in 2014.
This squad, plus Sneijder, Afellay, Huntelaar, Narsingh, Pieters… Pretty strong!
Oranje took the second spot in the world record ranking of national teams without a loss. Mexico (1949-1957) has been overtaken.
Only West Germany is left. They won 16 games in a row in World Cup qualifications from 1969 to 1985. We can equal this record when we win the away game at Estonia and Andorra.
We play Hungary at home still and lastly Turkey away.
Start saving for the 2014 jersey people!!
Truth be told, I wasn’t totally happy with LVG’s appointment. There were too many aspects in his past and personality I didn’t like. The dramatic series with Oranje in 2000/2001. The antics as a club coach (where some clubs asked him to leave, despite his quality) and his recent JC backstabbing at Ajax…
But…he is a world class coach. Club coach, I would add to that, but now he is demonstrating to the world that he has learned and developed. He is acting the National Team Manager perfectly. His relationship with the players seems to be great. He has clarity and consistency in selection and players’ choices. He has a good mix of assistants ( Danny Blind, cool & collected; up and coming Pat Kluivert for the fun factor and the passion; Ron Spelbos and Edward Metgod, the silent scouts in the background and then the usual goal keeper coach Frans Hoek and the video analysts he used at AZ and Bayern).
“Am I so dumb or are you so smart?!?!?! Oh…hang on… I got it wrong…”
Stekelenburg, Huntelaar, De Jong, Heitinga….they all have seen and experienced how decisive the man can be and they all seem to be accepting of his authority.
Van Marwijk has taught Dutch players that winning ugly is important and sometimes necessary and now we know what winning is (again), LVG will add the Dutch identity back into the mix. Wingers, one holding mid and attacking football.
Rafael van der Vaart played his 102nd cap against Romania and surpassed Phillip Cocu. Gio van Bronckhorst and Frank de Boer are in his sights now (106 and 112 respectively). “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t matter to me….”, the Man of the Match laughed last week.
Two assists and a goal for Rafael van der Vaart and that swagger that adds so much confidence to the team. And what a team it was. Power, speed and skill on the wings. A world class number 9 (RVP or Klaas Jan), creative midfielders and a destroyer in between and strength and speed at the back. I think we’re getting in real good shape (considering Robben, Sneijder and Krul weren’t even present…).
Heitinga celebrating the 2-0 with Martins Indi
So Romania had to concede 4 as well, like earlier in Budapest when we played Hungary.
And luck is always a factor. The free kick on the bar in the first 5 minutes could have gone in. And the penalty shout for Oranje could have been ignored. And all that jazz… But it went as it went and Oranje took the chances and did the business.
12 points out of 4 games.
I think Europe will be paying attention. I’m sure the football pundits and analysts in Spain, Germany, Italy and Portugal will read the papers and think…hmmmm….. Oranje…. :-).
With rumours that Spurs is following Clasie and our center back BMI scored two out of five, to name two facts, I think it’s clear we will reap more and more excitement around this team.
And with RVP finding the net again and that dream header of Lens, we seemed to be in that flow.
And Van Gaal will do everything to keep that flow going. Until end of June, 2014, I’m sure.
As he said when he was appointed: the World Cup is starting against Turkey.
I think he was right. Let’s keep on winning and only stop doing so when that man Blatter is waiting to give us that trophy.
Raf scores the 3-1 from the spot