Preview: Australia vs Netherlands

October 7, 2009

So I wake up this morning to the news that a Sorcerer is the latest opponent to try and take down the dynamo that is Cristiano Ronaldo. No, it’s not a nickname for some La Liga fullback with a vendetta against Portugese wunderkinds; an actual fire and brimstone, Lord of the Rings ”don’t take me as a conjurer of cheap tricks”, kind of Sorcerer…OK, maybe not THAT extreme, but hey, that would be kinda cool.

Turns out a vindictive ex-girlfriend has employed the services of Pepe (not the most fear inducing name for a master of magic) for 15 000 Euros to prematurely end the career of said player by invoking a curse on him.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

The same could be said of the Dutch side taking on the Socceroos this Saturday. In the two occasions the teams have met, the score currently stands as a win and draw in favour of the green and gold. Considering both results were committed in the Oranje’s own backyard, they aren’t taking this friendly to be like any other fixture, according to Dutch captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

“We know a lot about Australia, they’ve beaten us once and we had a draw before the last World Cup.

“We haven’t come this far for a holiday. Our focus is on the World Cup starting with, hopefully, a win against the Australians.”

In actual fact, the home side is much like, well, home for the Dutch than the average joe would think.

While the national team blossomed like a tulip in the Keukenhof under Guus Hiddink, the FFA’s coaching structure has now gone totally Dutch. In the Australia box at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday night will be Pim Verbeek, a one-time Hiddink apprentice.

Thrown into the mix is technical director Han Berger, while the man charged with producing the next batch of Socceroos is Jan Versleijen.

Verbeek, Berger and Versleijen, like Hiddink, came through the Dutch club system. Even Graham Arnold, another of Verbeek’s assistants, made his name as a player with Roda JC and NAC Breda in the Dutch Eredivisie.

While out on the paddock, Jason Culina, Brett Holman, Luke Wilkshire, Brett Emerton and more recently David Carney have or are currently plying their trade in the Dutch league.

This comes to no surprise for Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt.

“I understand the Dutch revolution began with Guus Hiddink and he got Australia to a World Cup.

“The influence is even greater today and for a Dutchman it is good to see. Hiddink took Australia to the World Cup in 2006 and did pretty well and from what I’ve seen with the Australian players I know from the (English) Premier League, and with clubs in Europe, you are getting better and better.

“It’s also good to see so many Dutch coaches involved, especially when the national team is doing well.

“I believe Australia as a footballing country belongs on the big stage.”

The Dutch have made themselves known as a genuine contender for the ultimate prize in South Africa having gone through the group stage unbeaten to become the first European country to book a spot next season.

The Dutch come up against the Socceroos having been held to a 2-all draw with England and beating Japan 3-0 on September 5.

The home team is still seething from a 3-1 away loss to South Korea last month after producing a similar undefeated qualification run for South Africa next year.

Both teams have strong lineups; the Socceroos using the FIFA double international sanctioned dates to sound the overseas contingent home. Craig Moore and Jason Culina represent the A League, with Shane Lowry the only debutant after stints with the Republic of Ireland youth sides.

The Clockwork Oranje are as strong as they can be; van Bommel, Robben and de Jong out with injury and Robin van Persie being allowed to stay home for the birth of his child.

Considering the short history between the two teams, it should be closer than the pundits expect. Myself and the Brains Trust (my three mates who talk everything from nuclear holocaust to football) have the pleasure of attendance for this Saturday; although opinion divides us on the result, common ground has been met in that it will certainly entertain the masses.

The weather has forecast to be fine, although if you have been in Sydney for the last month, you could be forgiven for expecting anything less than dust storms to a plague of frogs.

So like the weather, expect anything from this match; the Dutch want revenge, Socceroos want affirmation of their place on the world stage, regardless of the seemingly more important Asian Cup game against Oman four days later in Melbourne.

I hope Tim Cahill hasn’t upset his girlfriend lately…

Australia vs Netherlands

Saturday 10th October 7:30pm AEST @ Sydney Football Stadium

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