Ajaxtalk

Yeah, that's true. Apparently the Dutch broadcasters were complaining about not enough possession and not enough "passing the ball around" at half time—so there are some people who would say the approach was too pragmatic and somehow 'un-Dutch'. Not me though. Maybe one of the Dutchies can weigh in here...

The 5 -1 beating will certainly remain as one of my best football memories ever. I've been so sick and tired to ear Dutch football was losing it. Platini's face at the end of the game wasn't the less funny.

Our old captain Vertonghen with a STUPID penalty!!!

rjf1 schreef:You're making it sound like the style he (LvG) chose was a necessary, but not preferred, alternative to the pitty pat style -- which I don't believe at all. I believe that the style that was played was what he came up with to specifically defeat the pitty pat style.

I really don't think so. He clearly complained about the fact that he didn't had the player he needed to play the way he wants to, so he had to adapt. And in the ends, I think the results of that game was certainly more decided by the individual skills of a few players (Robben, Van Persie, Blind, ... Casillas) than by Louis van Gaal coaching (with all due respect). He of course deserves credits for letting his players play the way they did, but I think that opportunistic style of play can also quickly turn wrong with a little bit less luck (see first half...)
In the end, I don't think you should expect F. de Boer to rely on the skills of Sightorsson, De Jong, or even Fischer, to tear apart an opponent...

In an interview, RvP said that the game unfolded just the way LvG had said it would, and that the team had specifically trained (for weeks) to play that way, and he went on to praise LvG for his preparing them so well. And LvG said in an interview: that he is glad he kept faith with their new 3-5-2 formation – saying that his side would have lost had he reverted to their usual 4-3-3.

I have no idea how Australia - Netherlands will end. It might well be another victory for Van Gaal in the end. But I really do hope they didn't trained for weeks to produce this... Though it's again a fun game to watch!

Entertaining match... a "superior" dutch team playing on the counter against recklessly attacking Australians. I wonder if Johann Cruijff is filling out his application for an AU passport?

It was a game at high speed, not much control by Oranje. Australian were running on steroids, but they evaporated at the 70th minute. Some good subs made by LvG. Depay really turned the game around. Not only by the goal, but also by putting pressure on the Aussie's defense.

Oranje a bit lucky in some situations... but we'll take it any time.

On to play Chile in Sao Paolo which will be a difficult match given the speed and quickness of the Chileans. Thanks to the Spain win we go top of table with a draw and a superior goal differential but I'm not sure that a draw is in the cards. Our former captain and striker KJH may see his first action as Van Persie is suspended for the game. Blind again had a good game but Cillessen's kicking was more reminiscent of Vermeer than anything else (but he didn't have any outlets at all to pass to). Wouldn't be surprised if Tim Krul gets a start next Monday.

Very hard upcoming game with Chile. If we lose, we will face Brazil in the round of 16. If you ask me, I prefer it more than facing a fighting team such as Croatia or Mexico.

11 Japanese can't do it versus 10 Greeks.

Japan ran them ragged, but 'park the bus' football by 10 is hardly different from playing against 11 as far as trying to score. In the end, in spite of totally dominating the match they couldn't put the final ball into the net. I suppose Greece can feel happy about hanging on to a 0-0 score in spite of being totally outplayed.

Didn't get to watch the Oranje live the other day but watched our old mate Suarez beat England. I said to my mates that if he were 100% fit he would get 3 against a very moderate England. Took him goals superbly.Rooney is not world class and never has been,Suarez only 75% fit is in a completely different class to the overhyped Rooney. Noticed Lodeiro was playing for them. He had a lot of injury with us and never made it .

Greece played their typicall defensive game. Pity for the Japanese, that they fell in our trap. They didn't keep the ball down and tried crosses against a superior and taller defense. I still hope we lose against the Ivorians, because we aren't good enough to proceed in the final 16

Italy got what they deserved! I hope Suarez books their trip back home!

Hope Suarez stuffs Italy. Now England are out I can openly cheer on my No1 love - Oranje.

Right up to the final whistle I was afraid that Italy would cheat their way into a last minute result the way they have done so many times in the past. Now it is up to Luis and co. to send them home with their tails between their legs.

They cheated England, who played like mindless youngsters, and won the first game. Costa Rica made them pay!

In the game vs Spain, who made that last moment tackle on Torres? Was it Veltman???

Yes, that was Veltman.

Would love to see Veltman play today. Both Janmaat and DeVrij stunk out the building in the Australia game.

Hard fought 2-0 victory to take top of the group this afternoon. Blind played well and was pretty much on Alexis Sanchez all match long. He did pick up a well-deserved Yellow for too many nicks at the feet but that's football. Cillessen didn't have any hard work to do in goal and didn't have to do as much kicking in this match. On to the round of 16 now.

Cannot say it was great to watch but a good workman like win for the Dutch. Cannot write them off going all the way Robben along with V Persie are both world class.

I watched this one at a local pub here in Austin, where I sat next to and chatted at some length with the owner, a fellow who spent his childhood bouncing between Liverpool (he's a huge Reds fan) and Texas.

I told him that I'd been an Ajax/Oranje fan since the Cruijff era, and was still pulling for them even though I have no great fondness for the likes of Robben, V Persie, or De Jong. Nice to see Dirk Kuyt and some of the youngsters (Depay, Fer, Kongolo) get a runout today.

Also nice to see our old pal Eyong Enoh out there for Cameroon, though it could be a long afternoon for the Indomitable Lions.

So, it's Mexico up next in the knockout stages. Looking forward to it -- should be a cracker of a game.