World Cup country profile: Netherlands
The Netherlands were runners-up to Spain in 2010 and fate has thrown the two teams together again in the first match of 2014’s Group B, providing a mouth-watering match that will capture the world’s imagination. The Dutch stormed through qualification winning nine and drawing one of their 10 matches, to finish nine points clear of Romania under the guidance of Louis van Gaal. The legendary Champions League-winning manager has ensured the Oranje continue to play a brand of fluid, possession football that was pioneered by the great 1970 side of Johan Cruyff, and the 8-1 thrashing of Hungary in qualifying was testament to their abilities in attack. The Dutch are likely to rely on the experienced world class duo of Manchester United’s Robin van Persie No mercy from van Persie there... and Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben.