Match 53 (R16) - Netherlands v Slovakia - Post-Match Thread [R]

Perhaps it's just me, but the Dutch team appears so extremely nonchalant. Are they not giving everything yet or is this all they can?

Again, not the play I was hoping for, but yet another win.

I could get used to this.

Easy win vs Slovakia and again we played on just 50%.

I'm sure we can beat Brazil now... and then a easy semi-final with Uruguay/Ghana.
Yes, after 30 years we will play a final again and this time we win the cup vs Germany.

If Netherlands ends up playing against Brazil, they'll have to turn up a notch. Honestly, this is one of the most boring dutch teams I've ever seen in my life. There's no spark whatsoever.

They won every match thus far, sure, but something will have to change if they are to make a serious run for the cup.

We were playing very cautiously, because this referee was super trigger-happy. We couldn't afford to get some players suspended for the quarterfinal against Brazil. The referee was super trigger happy, luckily it worked in Holland advantage.

You need to get through Chile first.

Anyway, I agree that the Dutch have been looking a bit shaky in defense but what has really surprised me is the absolute lack of spark on the attack. Most games they've played in this tournament have been dull as hell, even against teams such as Japan or Cameroon.

Let's see how they fare against a stronger team. I wish them well.

Same can be said for Portugal.

Played 2 matches 0-0 so far, talk about boring matches.
Even the 7 goals vs a poor North Korea can't change that.

We play solid... and teams can only score vs us with help of the referees.
I promise some fireworks vs Brazil, there was no need to play good football yet.
Denmark, Japan, Cameroon and Slovakia didn't exactly want to play football vs us.

And I also wish Portugal luck vs Spain. May the best win (just like us).

I wouldn't be too sure

Second half was a disgrace.

Seemed to save their strength most of the game. Could have cost us, because they didn't seem to be able to turn the game around when it was needed.

Good to play (probably) Brazil now so these ladyboys have a reason to man up and play some #$&@%^ football...

Well I really do love the win. I hope I can say it 3 more times!

Another business-like performance without over-exerting themselves. On one hand you have to expect better from this side while on the other hand it's scary to think what will be displayed when Holland is firing on all cylinders. Vittek should have been carded for his dive.

-Robben looked like he never lost form, just some fitness.
-Only the second goal conceded and it was again a penalty
-De Jong and van Bommel enjoying an impressive understanding
-Stekelenburg growing into goalkeeper that can win you games
-Still no signs of imploding

I'm cautiously optimistic about the quarter final.

Me too!

Yeah well because of the ref and like 6 Dutch players already having a yellow card you saw players not making full tackles and holding back in duels afraid of getting another yellow which would suspend them for the quarter final. Luckily none got suspended and we will have our full squad ready for the quarterfinal.

Sure, Portugal played a lousy game against Ivory Coast. The other two games were good though, although not exceptional. However, I wasn't talking about Portugal, I was talking about Netherlands. There's no need to derail the subject.

Having said that, I'm not particularly optimistic or excited about our NT - I think we had better teams in the past - but I believe we have a chance of achieving something in this WC if we are more ambitious than we have been until now.

My criticism regarding the dutch style of play in this WC was in the sense that I expected more from this team, given the players you have at your disposal. You usually play good football and I was hoping to see that.

Furthermore, I think you can play much better than what you have done thus far and I think you will have to turn up a notch if you wish to make a run for the cup. That is my take on it.

Thanks. I think Portugal stands a chance against Spain if Queiroz doesn't freak out. I also believe you guys have good chances of making something happen in this WC if you start to play better football. You know you can do that and you know you should've done so by now. Veel geluk!

I think they are the most dangerous team on the Cup.

They're like Italy back in the day (1998-2004): solid in defense, can be lethal in attack. Your best bet against this team is never make a defensive mistake, even if it means a boring game with no one attacking, and practice the penalties.

They are nearly invulnerable at the back, when they care about defending. And you need all your attention to stop their fast/changing-pace attacks.

I know what you mean, and to be honest I miss our usual play as well. But the main thing here is the approach of our coach Bert van Marwijk. How many times before have we been one of the most attractive teams and pleased the world but ended with a drama exit?

The answer is : Too many times, and it's more then a fan can take after being dubbed one of the favorites once again and I can tell you it's traumatic.

Now we have a coach who is not concerned by how we play in the first place, but rather win and not show too many things in the process. He got the whole team in the right mindset, there are no in-fights and all that is focussed on is winning the world cup. No matter how we do it.

It was a game with many mistakes on our side. Especially in defense. De Jong and van Bommel both didn't have a great game as they had before.

23/26 is where we are at now. 23 games unbeaten, and the goal is to make it 26. If it's going to be 3 more ugly wins then so be it. I just want to win it.

I'm truly fed up of being praised by the world but end up with nothing. I hope this year things will be different and seeing some beautiful footy is just a bonus imo.

And to Brazil/Chile : Yeah our defense sucks. Come attack us!

I just hope that's really the case. Perhaps they just can't do better? Either way, time will tell. If they perform similarly against Brazil, we'll know what the reason is they play like this.

I hate to say it but quarter finals is our final destination with this kind of play.

about which country are you typing?

The netherlands looked good today. They were always in control of the game and never really looked like losing.

That's quite a bold statement.

We now play Total Control Football