2022 World Cup Team Profile: Netherlands
JAKARTA - The Dutch national football team is one of the best football teams in the world. The Netherlands have recorded great results over the years and are playing one of the most exciting footballs.
The Dutch style of football is generally based on possession of the ball. Some of the legendary Dutch players include Johan Cruijff, Ruud Gullit, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder.
Profile overview
Full name: Netherlands national football team Nickname: The Flying Dutchmen, Oranje Holland Founded: 1889 Managed by: Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) FIFA Affiliates: 21 May 1904 UEFA Affiliates: 15 June 1954 FIFA Code: NED Stadium: Johan Cruyff Arena, De Kuip, Philips Stadium Colours: Orange, white and black Coach: Louis van Gaal Captain: Virgil van Dijk World ranking: 10 (as of March 2022) Best rating: 1 (2011) Lowest rating: 36 (2017) Goalscorer All-time most: Robin Van Persie (50 goals) Most appearances: Wesley Sneijder (134) HistoryThe Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) manages the Dutch national football team. The KNVB was founded on 8 December 1889, as the Dutch Football and Athletics Association (NVAB). It was renamed the Dutch Football Association in 1895 before changing to the KNVB in 1929 until now.
The Dutch football team has evolved since playing its first competitive match in 1905. Then, the Flying Dutchmen beat Belgium 4-1 in extra time after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
Netherlands at the World CupThe participation of the Dutch national team in the World Cup has not resulted in a major trophy despite reaching three different finals (1974, 1978, 2010).
1974Led by the legendary Johan Cruyff, the first golden generation of the Netherlands saw off Brazil and Argentina to reach their first ever World Cup final. However, their dreams ran aground following a 1-2 defeat to West Germany.
1978The Dutch team reached their second successive final in 1978 but lost 1-3 to Argentina. The South American giants scored twice in extra time to lift their first World Cup title.
2010It took the Flying Dutchmen 32 years to reach the finals again, thanks to the generation of Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder. But, sadly, they lost 0-1 to Spain after conceding by Andres Iniesta's goal in extra time.
SemifinalsThe Netherlands also reached the semifinals of the 1998 and 2014 World Cups but failed to qualify for the 2018 edition.
trophyThe Netherlands' most notable achievement was winning the 1988 European Cup after defeating the Soviet Union in the final. Goals from Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten helped the Flying Dutchmen win 2-0 to lift their coveted title.
OlympicThe Netherlands have appeared in several Olympic games but have never won a gold medal. Their best result was winning bronze medals on four different occasions (1908, 1912, 1920, 2008).
FIFA RankingAccording to the FIFA rankings as of March 2022, the Netherlands are in 10th place globally with 1658.66 points. The highest ranking was at position one with 1596 points in August 2011, while the lowest was 36 with 734 points in August 2017.
2022 World Cup provisional squadThe Dutch national team is home to many of the top talents in world football, including Virgil van Dijk, Frankie De Jong, Memphis Depay and Georgino Wijnaldum. Below is a provisional list of the Netherlands national team players for the 2022 World Cup.
Goalkeeper
Team Krul Mark Flekken Joel Drommeldefender
Daley Blind Virgil van Dijk Nathan Aké Hans Hateboer Denzel Dumfries Matthijs de Ligt Jordan Teze Owen Wijndal Tyrell Malacia Jurriën TimberMidfielder
Georginio Wijnaldum Marten de Roon Jordy Clasie Davy Klaassen Frenkie de Jong Guus Til Teun KoopmeinersStriker
Steven Berghuis Memphis Depay Wout Weghorst Steven Bergwijn Arnaut Danjuma Cody Gakpo Noa Lang Donyell Malen Team captainVirgil van Dijk is currently the captain of the Dutch national team. He was appointed in March 2018 by the then manager, Ronaldo Koeman, ahead of their friendly against England in Amsterdam.
TrainerExperienced tactician Louis van Gaal returns as head coach of the Netherlands squad for the third time replacing Frank de Boer in August 2021. However, Ronald Koeman will return to the coach of the Dutch national team to replace Van Gaal in early 2023 or after the World Cup in Qatar.
Koeman and the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) reached an agreement in April under which Koeman was entrusted with responsibility for the Dutch national team until the 2026 World Cup.
In the ranks of the Dutch national team coach, Koeman is not a new person. He previously served as assistant coach in the 1997-1998 period before taking up the position of head coach for 2018-2020.
After leaving the Netherlands, he chose to move to Spanish giants Barcelona. However, he was ousted in 2021 following some disappointing results and was replaced by club legend Xavi Hernandez.
The KNVB's decision to go to Koeman was due to the current situation faced by coach Van Gaal. The 70-year-old tactician revealed that he was battling prostate cancer he was suffering from.
However, he insisted on staying in the coach seat of the Orange squad until the Qatar World Cup was over. Van Gaal took over as coach of the Dutch national team last year, which was his third spell with Orange.
best playerMonday training! ️Pics you want to see #NationsLeague #WANNED pic.twitter.com/vIcBjJae9C
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 6, 2022
Johan Cruyff is considered the greatest Dutch player of all time. He was the mastermind of a 1970s dream team that played beautiful football. Cruyff won the Ballon d'Or three times in 1971, 1973 and 1974.
This Dutch legend also introduced a unique style of play based on ball possession, commonly known as Total Football. Other top stars from the country include Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, Edwin van der Sar, Ruud Gullit and Ronald Koeman.
2022 World CupThe Netherlands national football team remains one of the best globally, despite never winning a World Cup. Perhaps, 2022 could be their year with new, talented stars.
At the World Cup in Qatar, the Netherlands occupy Group A with hosts Qatar, Senegal and Ecuador. Here is their schedule for their group stage matches:
Monday, 21 November 2022Senegal vs Netherlands: 17.00 WIB Qatar vs Ecuador: 23:00 WIB Friday, 25 November 2022Qatar vs Senegal: 20.00 WIB Netherlands vs Ecuador: 23:00 WIB Tuesday, 29 November 2022Netherlands vs Qatar: 22.00 WIB Ecuador vs Senegal: 22.00 WIB