Netherlands vs Sweden
It’s highly unlikely.
Even if all the great Dutch players of a generation could team up for one game, such as the late Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Ruud van Nistelrooy et al, the stakes would still be stacked against them.
For Holland need to cause what would effectively be a football betting landslide!
Why would the three-time World Cup runners-up suddenly turn on the style to beat Sweden, hardly minnows themselves, by seven goals?
The betting odds offer a generous Asian Handicap punt of -0.75 Netherlands @ 2.14 with Sweden posted +0.50 @ 2.02.
So while this iconic football country still harbours faint hopes of reaching Russia, it’s more likely the nation placed second and third in the previous two World Cup finals will miss out altogether.
Failure to qualify for a second major tournament in succession (they also missed out in Euro 2016) will simply confirm Dutch football is in crisis.
The national side has arguably not stayed at the cutting edge of progress.
It may still possess the odd genuine world-class talent such as Arjen Robben, but the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie (recently recalled but injured) and Rafael Van der Vaart have simply not been replaced.
The revolving door of coaches has probably not helped either.
After Louis van Gaal (in his second spell in charge) guided La Oranje to the World Cup semi-finals in 2014, his replacement Guus Hiddink (also in his second spell at the helm) left after 10 months, supposedly frustrated at being unable to forge a special bond with his players.
His assistant Danny Blind was given the job and promptly lasted 20 months and 18 matches, also unable to turn around their fortunes after overseeing two defeats in five qualifiers.
Now Dick Advocaat is back for th third time as boss, guiding them to three victories out of four but with the damage seemingly done and proposing his assistant Gullit as his successor, despite the fact he has not managed in Europe for 12 years!
With such amerry-go-roundd at the top and a dearth – albeit temporarily – of a new generation of real talent, it’s not a good time to be Dutch.
For all the effort and hope in the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam this week, the improbable will stay the improbable.
Holland are on the brink of World Cup exile.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
