How will the Netherlands fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SteTudor123 as he looks at the three-time finalists in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...
Netherlands History at the World Cup
Holland’s history at the World Cup is one of glorious failure, comprising of ten appearances, on three of those occasions reaching the final, in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
The first two of these marquee events – that each ended in defeat – stand out as landmark moments in the sport, as Oranje introduced the concept of ‘total football’ to an awestruck world.
It was football but in a different guise, alien and beautiful, and though the tactical innovation of players interchanging their positions had been witnessed before, never had it been executed with so much panache and fluidity. It blew our grandad’s socks off.
Louis van Gaal's last dance: At 71, the outspoken Dutchman is off to the World Cup in his THIRD spell as Holland boss - can he sign off with victory in Qatar? https://t.co/K0UP19JoVW
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) October 5, 2022
Its chief architect Rinus Michels was fortunate enough to call upon a stonewall genius in the form of three-time Ballon d’Or winner Johan Cruyff to best exhibit this new way of beating opponents and together with Arie Haan, Johan Neeskens and Johnny Rep they consecutively bested all before them, losing only to the eventual winners both times.
Ask someone to name the World Cup winners of 1974 and 1978 and it will take a moment to recall West Germany and Argentina. They will immediately know who lost though, and gloriously so.
Holland’s DNA of playing stylish fare still runs strong with a second and third generation of great teams emerging in the Eighties and Nineties, featuring Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit, then Dennis Bergkamp and the De Boer brothers. Their World Cup results however were mixed.
Presently, the Netherlands are ranked 8th in the world and long viewed as a global superpower it’s no surprise to learn their World Cup odds are competitively priced.
Netherlands Nickname
‘The Flying Dutchmen’ and ‘Clockwork Orange’ are occasionally bandied around but historically, and predominantly, the Netherlands are known simply as ‘Oranje’.
This may seem odd given that the national flag is made up of red, white and blue. In fact, the national kit colour pays homage to the Dutch royal family that hails from the ‘House of Orange’.
World Cup 2022 Group
Seeded in Pot 2, the Netherlands were hugely fortunate to avoid any of the big-hitters, instead being drawn with Qatar, who as tournament hosts were placed in Pot 1.
It could be argued that Louis Van Gaal’s side were less lucky with the other pairings, with Senegal the highest ranked team in Pot 3 and supposed minnows Ecuador being anything but. Yet still, this is a group Holland are expected to top.
Netherlands Fixtures:
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Netherlands vs Senegal - 21st November 2022
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Netherlands vs Ecuador - 25th November 2022
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Netherlands vs Qatar - 29th November 2022
Netherlands Kit World Cup 2022
At first glance, Nike have produced a simple and straightforward design but study it a little more and the lighter shade of orange evokes Holland’s 1988 Euro triumph, the nations’ only major tournament success to date.
Regrettably, the away number only evokes a training top though the orange badge and Nike motif are set off nicely by the royal blue.
📸| Frenkie de Jong in Netherlands’ new World Cup kit. #NED 🇳🇱🧡 pic.twitter.com/VpPiTZ065E
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) September 15, 2022
Who Is The Netherlands Manager?
Vastly experienced and with an impressive array of honours to his name, this is Louis Van Gaal’s third stint as national coach, previously overseeing a disappointing period in the early 2000s, before guiding Holland to a World Cup semi-final in 2014.
In between, the ever-opinionated Amsterdammer has claimed league titles in three different countries and won the Champions League with Ajax.
He is best known in the UK for a poor spell at Manchester United.
Best Netherlands Player
With Frenkie De Jong anchoring the midfield, and Memphis Depay a constant threat up front, Holland have the players to excel in Qatar, but they would not be the same team without Virgil Van Dijk leading from the back.
The fitness and form of Liverpool’s defensive colossus are fundamental to Holland’s hopes this winter.
"I love Virgil... he's a fantastic player..."
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) October 3, 2022
🇳🇱 Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst backs his compatriot, Virgil van Dijk.
Watch more: https://t.co/TeARddkLFd pic.twitter.com/lNENIhY0DX
Netherlands Odds at World Cup 2022
The Netherlands are 8/13 to win their opening fixture against Senegal but in truth better value can be found in the related markets, especially by backing goals. Van Gaal’s men averaged 3.3 goals per game across their qualifying campaign.
As regards to their World Cup winner odds the 12/1 that is currently available greatly appeals. Going all the way is not beyond this group of players.
Bet on Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!
