Dirk Kuyt’s Role and the Key Selection Issues for Netherlands vs. Argentina

On Wednesday, Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands will take on Lionel Messi and Argentina in the semi-final of the World Cup in Brazil. Van Gaal, known for being a tactician and a tinkerer, will likely make some tactical switches ahead of the match, although his tried-and-tested 5-3-2 formation will probably serve as a template. Here, we take a look at three selection decisions Van Gaal will have to... 

Eden Hazard Needs to Find His Chelsea Fire If Belgium Are to Fulfill Potential

On Saturday, Belgium were knocked out of the World Cup by Argentina, who shoved the Rode Duivels aside by scoring the goal of the match early in the first half, consequently qualifying themselves for the semi-final of the tournament. In this suspenseful, but for Belgium unfulfilling, quarter-final, Argentina showed they possessed what their opponents have so desperately lacked this World Cup: a star... 

Belgium Showed Character and Maturity in Their World Cup Victory vs. USA

In a match that ended in a dramatic and suspenseful period of extra time, Belgium managed to beat USA and progress to the quarter-final on Tuesday. The extra 30 minutes, needed because regular playing time had ended at 0-0, looked open ended, with the Americans refusing to give up, despite being 2-0 behind at one point. But looked at from a wider perspective, it had been clear for a while that Belgium... 

How Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben Can Power the Netherlands Past Mexico

It’s funny how football has a knack of making the unimaginable come true. In that short period of time between the end of the season and the start of the World Cup, when fans were speculating and critics were writing their previews, there wasn’t a soul who expected the Netherlands to demolish Spain, brush aside Australia and Chile and score a total of 10 goals. But it happened, and looking... 

Belgium vs. Algeria: 6 Things We Learned

On Tuesday, Belgium finally kicked off their World Cup campaign against Algeria.  The North African side proved to be tough opposition. In the first half, they even managed to take the lead when Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli scored the opening goal.  In the second half, Belgium managed to regroup. Marouane Fellaini equalised in the 70th minute, and minutes later, Dries Mertens bagged... 

Predicting a Route to World Cup Glory for the Netherlands

After beating Brazil in the quarter-final and Uruguay in the semi-final, the Netherlands reached the final of the World Cup in 2010. There, they lost against Spain, but nonetheless, the Dutch look back at their effort in 2010 with pride.  At the World Cup in Brazil, will Oranje manage to repeat their 2010 run, or even improve on it by going all the way?  With a much younger and less experienced... 

5 Things for Netherlands Coach Louis Van Gaal to Test in Friendly vs. Wales

The Netherlands are facing Wales in what will be their final friendly before they head off to Brazil to compete in the World Cup.  This means that Louis van Gaal‘s opportunity to experiment has almost passed. Against Wales, the Dutch boss will get his final opportunity to make some last-minute tweaks. After that, Oranje will face Spain in the first match of the group stage.  Ahead of... 

Netherlands vs. Ghana: 6 Things We Learned

In their second friendly in preparation for the World Cup in Brazil, the Netherlands faced Ghana on Saturday.  The match was especially interesting considering manager Louis van Gaal’s recent switch to a 5-3-2 formation. The key question was: Would Oranje once again line up in this unusual system, or would the Dutch return to their traditional 4-3-3 setup?  And what about Wesley Sneijder?... 

5 Things Belgium Must Do to Ensure a Successful World Cup in Brazil

Having raised what seems like a “Golden Generation” in recent years, Belgium have been singled out by various pundits as one of the possible dark horses for the World Cup in Brazil this summer.  And indeed, with highly rated players such as Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Vincent Kompany, the Rode Duivels truly look like a force to be reckoned with.  Shortly before the World... 

Netherlands vs. Ecuador: 6 Things We Learned

With the preparations for the World Cup in Brazil well and truly underway, the Netherlands faced Ecuador in a pretournament friendly on Saturday.  After Louis van Gaal’s announcement of the Netherlands’ 30-man preliminary squad, fans and pundits alike were keen to see the first XI the manager would pick—all the more so because of the new 5-3-2 formation he admitted to be experimenting... 

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