That's a very tough group. Chile is a very dangerous team, and Spain speaks for themselves. Whoever loses to Australia will be in big trouble. LvG needs to select the right defenders, because that's the biggest weakness of this Dutch national squad at the moment. Tough, but not impossible
Germany have the toughest group. Also we have to win our group or we play Brazil most likely next. I can't see Brazil finishing 2nd
How were you guys not a seeded team? That is still a mystery to me. Anyway, good luck to you. I'd like to see you qualify along with us.
Yeah if we don't win the group, we are in trouble. Brazil in the round of 16 would almost definitely mean an early exit. Chile is beatable, Australia is a must beat, and if we draw against Spain, it could be our best bet.
I have no idea why Chile is so under-estimated. They have got Sanchez, Vidal, Isla and a few good players. More importantly the WC is in Brazil and after Brazil-Argentina, Chile-Uruguay are going to be difficult teams. These are the teams which can cause upsets against any team. 4 points with a draw vs Spain and a big win vs Australia is a must to boost Goal Difference. Chile match might be decisive. Also Group B Runners are in for a tough ask. Facing Brazil in Brazil will be very very hard
Don't like this draw at all. Spain and Chile are dangerous teams. And to top it all, the R16 could be against Brazil. I don't want a repeat of the EURO 2012 group stage.
It's a group where all teams are going to lose points. Chile is not a bad team. Australia always does some crazy things. So everything is possible.
because the KNVB decided to go on an Asia trip with games against China and Indonesia. Without the Indonesia game we would have kept the fifth position on the FIFA ranking. But it is how it is. We just have to be better than at least 2 of the other teams in the group. After this every game is a final.
Terrible draw. In order to progress beyond the first knockout round, Netherlands will have to either (1) beat out Spain and Chile for first (unlikely) or (2) upset Brazil in the first knockout round (also unlikely). Anything can happen...but compare that scenario to the one where Netherlands replaced Switzerland in their group. All due to a friendly game in Indonesia.
Chilean climate is nothing like Brazil. they will not have any advantage on that point. They were only good when Bielsa was manager. IMO, they are not a concern. Our team can beat anybody including Brazil (we did it in 2010) or Spain. We will again get out of the pool.
It's not the first time the KNVB's incompetent planning screws over the national team. I recall some problems with locations in Euro 2012 and WC90 in Italy. Not an easy draw but at least Spain and Chili play good entertaining football which suits us. The side that loses points to Australia has a problem. I *really* would like to avoid Brazil, as I'm sure they haven't forgotten 2010 yet.
This is a bit different though. Spain are ridiculous stacked and their 2nd team is better than almost everyone's first team. Look at this - Casillas - Ramos - Pique - Puyol - Alba Xavi Busquets Iniesta Silva Costa Mata Reina/Valdes Arbeloa - Inigo Martinez - Albiol/Bartra - Nacho/Azpi Xabi - Martinez - Fabregas Cazorla - Negredo - Isco The defense is weak for both teams but the mid-field, GK and forward are all top class. Beating Brazil in Brazil is a different cookie. Caesar Alves - Silva - Luiz/Dante - Marcelo Gustavo - Paulinho/Ramires - Oscar Hulk/Lucas - Pato/Daimao/Fred - Neymar. The FB's are very attacking, the CB's are amazing. The Mid-field has grit, still and drive. Neymar is Neymar and Hulk-Lucas are good players. The CF looks comparatively weak but Pato or Daimao could suddenly do amazing. Scholari is a WC Winning Coach and the team seems to be motivated with a Winner's Mentality. They are playing @ home. It's not going to be easy
The pre-tournament preparation and heat acclimatization for the matches in Sicily was done in Croatia, where it was 5C at the time...
Belgium is indeed very lucky with the draw and travel schedule. But it looks a short stay as well. I mean, Portugal or Germany in R16.
Someone screwed the pooch ... now we need to bribe the referees too ... I'm hoping group G turns into a war of attrition ... not only a GOD but has the smell of a Group Of Sweat too. Would have loved stronger attacking teams in H and a more balanced group G ... but hey I was already happy landing that group when the pot 1 teams were drawn (regardless of who was about to join us). A possible QF opponent would be Argentina ... expect them to sail through their group and then go full steam after beating one of the easier R16 candidates ... so even if we get to the QFs our little vacation will definitely be over. I'd like to avoid Germany ... ideally we both end up runners-up in our groups ... possibly facing the Swiss or French in the QFs ... regardless, a survivor of the GOD will have its confidence boosted going into the R16 while our group is filled with banana peels (even Capello's Russia is much more defensive minded than when Hiddink or Advocaat were in charge and it's not Russia2018 yet). Got lucky with the group ... got KO stage of Death instead. Without selling Spain or Chile short ... I'm expecting Holland to either top the group or come in second ... at least you could have a shot at e.g. Croatia. Although it will be dry and around 20C at the venues where you'll be playing ... I wouldn't like to trade places ... well maybe switch Algeria and Chile if we get a shot at an easier opponent in the R16.
RvP back on pitch. Looked rusty. Had a goal correctly disallowed. The men behind him were simply poor, and he stood in an island for most of the time. Quiet day for Krul, didn't remember he made any significant saves. So.. Moyes is deep in the water. If M.U falls outside the top 4 (missing out on C.L), which looks more and more likely, I can't imagine he will be allowed to continue despite his massive 6-years contract. Louis Van Gaal taking over at M.U?
I don't think so. Sir Alex clearly knew that it was the right time to leave last spring given the team has a lot of older players and no really solid midfielders (though Cleverly did look good at times today). ManU have lots of money and it won't be surprising to see them pick up a couple of players in January. They are also a much better team with Rooney in the lineup.
Apparently Spain are not too thrilled about drawing us: http://www.telegraaf.nl/telesport/wk-voetbal-2014/22120908/___Spanje_bang_voor_Oranje___.html I have a feeling we're going to beat them