Germany 2 - Netherlands 1: Germany Takes Advantage of Dutch Mismanagement

In what was expected to be the most exciting match of the group stage, Germany sent the Netherlands to the brink of elimination after defeating them 2-1.  Although the rivalry runs deep, it did not live up to the billing, as large parts of the game were unimaginative with the Dutch often appearing lifeless.  If one wanted to place blame, then look no further than Dutch manager, Bert van Marwijk.

After their opening defeat, the Dutch needed a victory if they were to have a legitimate chance of advancing.  It was expected that Van Marwijk would select a more offensive lineup.  However, the disappointment ran deep when they started in the same 4-5-1 formation that included two holding midfielders, Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong.  Apparently, Van Marwijk learned nothing from the previous game.  It was utterly shocking to see Rafael van der Vaart and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on the bench.  Joachim Loew, the Germany manager, must have been thrilled to see the Oranje take such an approach.

The initial ten minutes seemed to be a chess match as the Germans looked to weather the storm and get through it without conceding a goal.  The Dutch had several good build-ups and nearly took the lead when Van Bommel provided a fantastic ball from 30 yards out that Robin van Persie volleyed at Manuel Neuer, the German goalie, in the 7^th minute.  It was the type of ball that Van Persie usually buries in an Arsenal uniform.  The German defender did a terrible job as he gave up on the ball and let Van Persie run right by him. 

In the 18^th minute, the Dutch had a fantastic counter attack that should have resulted in a goal, but Ibrahim Affelay’s cross in the box was well behind the oncoming Van Persie.  It was another wasted opportunity for the Oranje.  It was just a matter of time before the Germans punished them for failing to capitalize.

After defending for most of the initial twenty minutes, the Germans seized the offensive.  In the 24^th minute they broke the deadlock as Mario Gomez fired the Germans into the lead after receiving a Bastian Schweinsteiger through ball.  The Dutch defense was incredibly awful during this sequence.  They played with four defenders and two holding midfielders, yet the Germans continued to find glaringly large gaps in the defense.  The word that comes to mind is...embarrassing. 

It got worse for the Dutch in the 38^th minute as Gomez found the back of the net again.  Martin Stekelenburg, the Dutch goalie, took a terrible angle and gave up the entire far post.  In addition, he fell to the ground when he could have made the save.  Give Gomez credit though for his perfect placement. 

With halftime approaching and the score 2-0, Van der Vaart and Huntelaar began warming up.  Right before the whistle, the Germans nearly added to their tally on a free kick, but Stekelenburg made the save.  The Oranje were fortunate to reach the halftime mark only down two, as they appeared tired and defeated.  There was relatively little intensity from a team that was fighting for survival.  Meanwhile, the Germans were the opposite. They looked confident, efficient, and full of energy.  Loew must have been ecstatic.  His team did not play their best but led 2-0.

When both teams emerged from the locker room, there appeared little choice for Van Marwijk but to remove two defensive players and insert Huntelaar and Van der Vaart.  While Van Marwijk did remove Van Bommel, he also took off the offensive minded Affelay.  This added to the disappointment because the Dutch needed to improvise, not maintain a backline that cannot defend.  Rather than shifting to a 3-5-2 with Van Persie and Huntelaar up top, they clung to the 4-5-1 and pushed Van Persie out wide.

After the whistle blew, the same pattern unfolded.  It was the Germans, not the Dutch, who dictated the tempo and played with urgency.  They looked unsatisfied with a 2-0 lead, and looked to build on it when defender Mats Hummels dribbled the ball from midfield through the Dutch box before ultimately losing the ball.  The Dutch defense literally let him come into the box without touching or stepping up to challenge him. 

Despite Huntelaar and Van der Vaart’s inspiring effort, it did not seem to reach the other Dutch players with the exception of Wesley Sneijder.  Sneijder’s intensity was unquestioned throughout due to his inability to hide emotion from his face.  Sneijder nearly put the Dutch on the scoreboard in the 62^nd minute but his long-range drive nearly missed the post.  In the 73^rd, Van Persie finally put one in the net on a brilliant strike to the far post. 

Van Persie’s goal breathed life into the squad.  Their legs seemed rejuvenated and they desperately pushed forward for the equalizer.  Undoubtedly, they are a more threatening team with Huntelaar on the field as the point man.  It took nearly eighty minutes, but the Dutch took control.  The Germans were on their heels.  For a brief period, the Germans did not have an answer for the Oranje. 

Just as it appeared that an epic comeback was in the making, Van Marwijk used his final substitution.  Inexplicably, Van Marwijk sent on Dirk Kuyt and took off Arjen Robben.  The Dutch needed one goal to tie, so Van Marwijk’s logic was to remove one attacking player for another.  The decision is really unbelievable.  You cannot make this stuff up.  Robben did not play his best game, but he is still their greatest threat and his place on the field creates additional space for everyone else because he must be accounted for.  While Dirk Kuyt is a fine player who always gives one hundred percent, he is not Arjen Robben.  It would have made perfect sense to remove a defender and send on Kuyt, but Van Marwijk did not see it this way. Unbelievable!!

From the moment Robben left the field, the game changed.  The Dutch threat disappeared, and it was just a matter of time until Germany celebrated the victory over their rival.  The win moves Germany into the knockout rounds.  While the Dutch should be eliminated after losing twice, they are barely alive due to tiebreaker rules.

For the Germans, Joachim Loew did a terrific job preparing his team.  Every player had a solid game.  Manuel Neuer made several terrific saves.  The defense and midfield played well.  They easily outworked the Netherlands.  They showed that they want to be there and that they expect to win.  Undoubtedly, Mario Gomez is the man of the match.  His composure was fantastic and his finishing was textbook.  He gains confidence with each game, and will be a force for any defense to deal with in the knockout rounds.  They have the look and feel of a champion side.

For the Dutch, it was another game of missed opportunities.  The defense is just awful.  I do not understand what the manager is doing.  It is obvious they cannot defend.  If that is the case, then put an attacking team out there and outscore your opponents.  They needed a victory today, and they started as if they already qualified for the knockout rounds.  There was little urgency or energy from them.  They lost the majority of 50/50 balls, and rarely applied high defensive pressure.  They were down two goals at one point in the second half, and players stood around watching rather than getting involved.  It was a disgrace. On a positive note, Van Persie played very well, as did Sneijder, and Huntelaar.  Other than those three, the Dutch offered very little.  Overall, it was a very uninspiring performance.  It is one that may cost Van Marwijk his job.

By Jeff Graceffo