One of the EURO 29012 favourites woke up on Thursday with the hangover of a defeat to Germany and their coach, Bert van Marwijk, declaring "We lost against a very good team and if you want to beat Germany you have to be top as a team and player, and we weren't today as several players aren't really in shape," he explained.
"The opening phase was okay but after that it all went wrong in our defence."
The comments seem to bear little responsibility for the game plan against Germany, which saw Holland return to a negative type football and their opponents playing the more flowing style. The opposite to the norm and a reliving of 2010 World Cup Final where the Oranje tried to bully a win against Spain in South Africa. It seems the squad have forgotten the beautiful game that earned Cinderella status at so many major competitions over the years - and won them EURO 88 in Germany.
As things stand today under van Marwijk, that game book seems long forgotten.
Although when Mark van Bommel went off at half-time, and Wesley Sneijder was let loose in his more favoured position of the left side of midfield, some of that flair did come back briefly. Especially with the addition of Rafael van der Vaart at the break, with both players creating some good combinations in the second half. Unfortunately victims to the clock as time ran out in the end and the negative efforts of the first 45 minutes left irreparable.
For a nation that continues to produce quality footballers in the mould of Johan Cruyff, Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten and Denis Bergkamp – to mention just a few – their possible premature departure from EURO 2012 is unwelcome. Even if based on Wednesday night it is totally justifiable as they seemed to lack desire and effort – until half time.
All of which gives more substance to the pre-match rumours of in-house rows or squabbling cliques within the Dutch set up.
Notwithstanding, Sneijder ran his socks off all night, but to no avail as Mario Gomez’s two goals settled things in Germany’s favour – their arch enemies..
With Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben also desperate to make an impression and faced with some of his team mates in the German team, it seemed the harder he tried the less likely it was he would score. Then showing disgust and anger when Van Marwijk finally substituted late in the second half.
None of which helps the team’s prospects for their last game against Portugal and would appear to set them on their way out of the tournament.
Ahead of the match on Wednesday Dutch FA director Bert van Oostveen insisted that Bert van Marwijk's job will was not at risk. Even if they were knocked out at the group stage.
The former Feyenoord coach replaced Marco van Basten in 2008 and only signed a contract extension last year taking him through to 2016. Van Oostveen has reassured the 60-year-old that the Dutch FA will honour that agreement, even if Oranje do make a surprise early exit.
"Our goal is, as ever, to reach the semi-final but that goal was named in 2005," he said "That is our ambition and fits our fourth place on the FIFA rankings and the fact that we are almost always present during finals.
"If we go out earlier there are no consequences. Both sides signed a deal with a healthy mind. The extension is based on our long-term policy.
"We want our team to play recognisable football with our own identity and style.
"And if you see our results under Van Marwijk, our opponents are still looking for the solution to beat us. But you can always lose a match."
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