The Netherlands are a force to reckon with in the world of football. Over the years, they have established themselves as giant killers, and have produced some of the best footballers in the game. From Johan Cruyff to Michael Laudrup, Dennis Bergkamp and the De Boer brothers, the only thing that has eluded the Oranje is the FIFA World Cup. Hence, when they missed out on World Cup qualification in 20118, it was the lowest point of their illustrious football history.
Fast forward to 2022 and the Dutch team, now led by Louis Van Gaal, have the best and brightest players on their roster to call up. A majority of their players are currently playing their trades in the big wigs of European football. Drawn in Group A alongside Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador, the Dutchmen are clear favourites to top the group and progress to the knockout stage of the tournament.
Fixtures: Netherlands vs Senegal November 21, Netherlands vs Ecuador November 25, Netherlands vs Qatar November 29
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow, Andries Noppert, Remko Pasveer
Defenders: Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Daley Blind, Jurrien Timber, Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt, Tyrell Malacia, Jeremie Frimpong.
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Steven Berghuis, Davy Klaassen, Teun Koopmeiners, Marten de Roon, Cody Gakpo, Kenneth Taylor, Xavi Simons.
Forwards: Memphis Depay, Steven Bergwijn, Vincent Janssen, Luuk de Jong, Noa Lang, Wout Weghorst.
Having worked hard to get back to form, the side that has reached the World Cup final thrice – 1974, 1978 and 2010 – losing all three, will want to change that narrative in Qatar. Here, we take a concise look at their team and how they might fare.
Focus on their Barcelona players
Two of their Dutch players are key to Barcelona's current run at the top of the La Liga standings – Memphis Depay and Frenkie De Jong.
Depay is surely touted to be the source of their goals at the FIFA World Cup. The 28-year-old versatile forward played a leading role in helping the team qualify for the tournament, scoring 12 goals in 10 games. His goalscoring services will, no doubt, prove vital for the Oranje if they are to go ahead and claim their first-ever crown.
Joining him from the club side is De Jong, once considered the best young player in world football. Frenkie is an engine in the midfield when playing for both club and country, but has been in constant loggerheads with the Barcelona hierarchy, making his time with the team come into question.
A box-to-box midfielder with a tireless work rate and ample vision, his pace with the big has surprised many opposition team members. De Jong’s presence in the centre of the midfield is non-negotiable in their chances of doing well at the World Cup.
Defensive solidity a telling factor
Liverpool's centre-back Virgil Van Dijk is regarded as one of the best central defenders in world football. He will be coupled alongside a young Matthijs de Light, who has lit up the Eredivisie, Serie A and the Bundesliga. Both of them will be key to the Dutch defence, which has been leaky in recent years.
All eyes will especially be on Van Dijk, whose club team Liverpool have been more than poor in the Premier League this season. But the strikers coming to the tournament will know they would have a torrid day getting past the Netherlands defence spearheaded by Van Dijk. The Dutchman, aside from his solid defensive abilities, reads the game well and leads from the back with his passes and composure.
