Originally Posted by
Dark Horse
Exactly.
VDV is trying to compete with Sneijder for the 'number 10 spot'. He played for himself, and clogs up the spaces by not staying in his position. This is the second game this tournament that Holland played much better after he left the pitch. I hope he won't return at all.
With Robben back, the team looked much more dynamic. They should play Robben and Van Persie on the wings. The whole point of wingers is that crosses from the backline, or at least from behind the defense, mean that the defense has their eyes off what is happening to their side (in front of goal) and behind them. By not using the wingers like this, the defense can oversee everything in front of them without ever having to turn their heads. The first Dutch cross came halfway in the second half. Terrible. Even Robben, when he plays on the right, always turns inside.
The defense isn't that bad. They let in one goal in the tournament so far (and three in their last 11 competitive matches), and it was an easily given penalty. If the ref gives it, he has to give the Dutch a penalty as well. But he seemed more interested in handing out pointless yellow cards (annoying, because this time, for some strange reason, they're not wiped clean until after the quarter finals). Brazil will be a problem for this defense, but the other teams on this side of the draw not so much.