[J79]

Not really a fan of international football (or soccer) but let me fill you in on the Dutch national team.

HOME KIT

Classic orange jersey with the lion on the chest. White shorts, orange socks.
A very simple, but very nice kit.

AWAY/SECONDARY KIT


Dark blue and orange... some 'no good' colors.

HISTORY
This will be our 10th World Cup finals appearance. We are the only nation to lose all 3 finals we've played

THE COACHING STAFF
HEAD COACH Louis van Gaal
Difficult personality, pain in the ass for journalists, thinks he, and only he, is the reason why he won the Champions League with Ajax, had success with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AZ.
The players all really like him though.

Personally I can't dislike him. He brought me my finest moment as an Ajax fan on may 24 1995. (winning the Champions League)

ASSISTENT COACH Danny Blind
Will become assistent to Guus Hiddink after the World Cup. Will take over as head coach after Euro 2016.
A move no one understands. He isn't a great coach.
Was captain of Ajax in the Champions League final on may 24 1995

ASSISTENT COACH Patrick Kluivert
Former top goal scorer for the Netherlands. Nice guy.
As an 18 year old he scored the only goal in the Champions League final on may 24 1995

THE SYSTEM
We are known for our attacking style of play.
Unfortunately, due to lack of quality, we are (more or less) forced to play a 5-3-2 or 3-4-3 system.


GOALIES
1. Jasper Cillessen (AFC Ajax/Dutch Eredivisie)
Our no. 1 goalie. 27 league appearances last season, giving up only 10 goals and losing only 1 game.
Voted Eredivisie MVP by sports journalists.

22. Michel Vorm (Swansea/Premier League)
Solid in goal. His size is the only downside.

23. Tim Krul (Newcastel United/Premier League)
Solid as well. No real weak spots, but no outstanding qualaties either.

We have no worries in goal. All 3 goalies are capable of handeling the job.


DEFENCE
2. Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa/Premier League)
Physically strong. Should be the leader in our defence (which is worrying)

3. Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord/Dutch Eredivisie)
Never noticed any special qualities on this guy. Should have a leader role, however it's his first World Cup.

4. Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord/Dutch Erdivisie)
Looks physically strong, seems a little clumsy with an without the ball.

12. Paul Verhaegh (Augsburg/Bundesliga)
No one knows why he is on this squad.

13. Joel Veltman (AFC Ajax/Dutch Eredivisie)
Had a breakout year at Ajax. Will be one to watch for the future. Has a lot to learn.

14. Terence Kongolo (Feyenoord/Dutch Eredivisie)
Very strong ending to his season. Like Veltman, the future in our defence. Will have to learn a lot.

MIDFIELD
5. Daley Blind (AFC Ajax/Dutch Eredivisie)
Son of assistent coach Danny Blind, but that's not the reason why is on this team.
Can play as a left (upcoming) back, a left midfielder and as defensive midfielder.

6. Nigel de Jong (AC Milan/Serie A)
Likes the physical aspects of the game. Should give the ball to another player a.s.a.p. once he intercepts a ball.

7. Darryl Janmaat (Feyenoord/Dutch Erdivisie)
With Gregory van der Wiel out with an injury, and Ricardo van Rhijn struggeling with his form, Janmaat is our best option on the right side.

8. Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea/Premier League)
Smart player. High work rates offensively and defensively.

10. Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray/Turkish Premier League)
One of our 'go to' guys. Awesome long shot, smart player, great long pass, great skills. Smoking hot wife.

16. Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord/Dutch Eredivisie)
Good long pass. Physically weak.

18. Leroy Fer (Norwich City/Premier League/relegated)
Works hard, has a powerful shot. Smart player (sometimes)

20. Georgino Wijnaldum (PSV/Dutch Eredivisie)
In because of Rafael van der Vaart's injury. Captain of PSV. Got some leadership skills, offensively stronger than defensively.

FORWARDS
9. Robin van Persie (Manchester United/Premier League)
One of our top players. Captain.
Lots of injury struggles last season. Choked last WC and Euro tournaments.

11. Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich/Bundesliga)
Had his best season last season. Very injury prone.
One of the best players in the world. Can make a difference. Should make a difference.

15. Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbache/Turkish Premier League)
Lot of experience. Works hard. Won't get many minutes.

17. Jermain Lens (Dynamo Kiev/Russian Premier League)
Great speed. Lazy player. Chose money by signing in Russia.

19. Klaas Jan Huntelaar (FC Schalke 04/Bundesliga)
Deadly striker. Scores always and everywhere. Would be a starter in a lot of teams.

21. Mephis Depay (PSV/Dutch Eredivisie)
Great talent, attitude problems. Will be a tournament full a learning for him.

PLAYERS THAT DIDN'T MAKE THE SQUAD
Kevin Strootman (AS Roma/Serie A) - INJURY -
A tough loss for this team.

Gregory van der Wiel (Paris SG/Ligue 1) - INJURY -
Would be a solid option on the right side.

Rafael van der Vaart (HSV/Bundesliga) - INJURY -
Past his prime, but his experience and smart plays are a loss for this squad.

UPS
A talented group with more than enough skill.

DOWNS
Lack of experienced and physical players

KEYS TO SUCCESS
It's all about our 'big 3'. van Persie, Robben and Sneijder. They are a lot better than the rest of the team. They make players better and they are all capable of deciding games.

PREDICTION
The Dutch will head home after the group stages.
We will lose to Spain without a doubt.

We should be able to beat Australia, however we never did in history. They will be physically strong.

If Arturo Vidal is fit in time, I can't see us winning from Chile.
The climate is in their favour plus they are a really good team.

If we make it through the group stages, we most likely face Brazil.
A team that will want revanche for the 2010 QF (2-1 Netherlands)

MY PICKS
Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany
Outsiders; Uruguay, Belgium, Spain.