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Comment: Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Cape Town – Holland are one tantalising match away from burying well over 30 years of pain – not for nothing is theirs called a Low Country – induced by successive, failed World Cup finals of 1974 and 1978.
The Dutch class of 2010 await the outcome of Wednesday’s other semi-final in Durban, between Germany and Spain, to know their opponents in the South African showpiece, but their exhibitionist joy at just getting there certainly knew no bounds here on Tuesday.
A full hour after the final whistle had sounded on their 3-2 downing of Uruguay, a couple of thousand Dutch supporters were still bunched together dancing, chanting and doing impromptu congas as their heroes reappeared barefooted from the dressing room in sporadic pairs or trios to acknowledge their spirited backing.
Uruguay go home disappointed, as reflected in a spot of red-mist hullabaloo after the final whistle, but a long, long way from broken.
Here was an outfit who punched gamely above their weight at this World Cup – however fortuitous their very presence in the semi might have been – and they went further than continental heavyweights Brazil and Argentina.
The South American team kept gnawing away to the last, pulling the score-line back to 3-2 in stoppage time and then forcing two opportunities for long throws into the box as banging of drums among the Dutch fans briefly turned to missed heartbeats.
Fluttering hearts
And little wonder there were some flutters among the orange army … suddenly the particularly hideous spectre loomed of a penalty shootout if Uruguay could complete a miraculous fight-back and then safely negotiate extra time as well.
Do not mention the word “shootout” to Dutch folk: to say that their national side do them badly would be an understatement.
They have never really recovered from a disastrous rash of them between 1992 and 2000, when Holland were eliminated from three European Championships and one World Cup in that fashion.
There was no question, though, that justice was ultimately served in the lively match with the Dutch booking a berth on Sunday at Soccer City, the venue where they began their 2010 adventure with a workmanlike 2-0 defeat of Denmark on June 14.
Without meaning disrespect to the Uruguayans, many neutrals will be pleased that a particularly spicy final is in prospect now, whether Holland’s foes are to be the current European champions or that old nemesis in sporting and other significant ways, the Germans.
Indeed, you will find no lack of Dutch people secretly willing on a meeting with Germany, given that it represents an opportunity to avenge 1974, when Holland’s famous “Total Football” side earned the largely unwanted mantle – probably to this day – of best side not win the World Cup. Yes, courtesy of 2-1 defeat at the last hurdle to Germany.
Four years later in Argentina, a Dutch side thought to be in decline and not heavily touted, ironically came even closer to lifting soccer’s top prize.
In a spiteful Buenos Aires final, once again taking on the tournament’s host nation, Holland lost 3-1 although it was a deceptive outcome: they had struck back late in normal time to level at 1-1, and then in stoppage time Robbie Rensenbrink struck the base of a post.
Chance spurned, and Argentina duly netted twice in extra time to leave the Dutch shattered all over again.
If there is one comfort in South Africa, Holland know that they most certainly won’t be playing the host country in their third final, a pleasant and perhaps inspiring change for them.
Sumptuous strike
And speaking of Bafana Bafana, Siphiwe Tshabalala’s sumptuous strike to open the scoring at this World Cup against Mexico has now been equalled and arguably even eclipsed for left-footed majesty by Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s to set the Dutch on their way against Uruguay, some 60 matches later.
Each found the far top corner like a thunderbolt, with Tshabalala’s from a tighter angle but Van Bronckhorst’s superior for distance.
Progressively more dangerous and creative in the top half of the pitch in the semi-final, with Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder to the fore, the Dutch may nevertheless be a little perturbed that they conceded two goals in a game for the first time at this World Cup.
But will that fact have dampened the partying vibe of their supporters in Somerset Road and Long Street into the wee hours of Wednesday morning?
I somehow doubt it …
Cape Town – Holland are one tantalising match away from burying well over 30 years of pain – not for nothing is theirs called a Low Country – induced by successive, failed World Cup finals of 1974 and 1978.
The Dutch class of 2010 await the outcome of Wednesday’s other semi-final in Durban, between Germany and Spain, to know their opponents in the South African showpiece, but their exhibitionist joy at just getting there certainly knew no bounds here on Tuesday.
A full hour after the final whistle had sounded on their 3-2 downing of Uruguay, a couple of thousand Dutch supporters were still bunched together dancing, chanting and doing impromptu congas as their heroes reappeared barefooted from the dressing room in sporadic pairs or trios to acknowledge their spirited backing.
Uruguay go home disappointed, as reflected in a spot of red-mist hullabaloo after the final whistle, but a long, long way from broken.
Here was an outfit who punched gamely above their weight at this World Cup – however fortuitous their very presence in the semi might have been – and they went further than continental heavyweights Brazil and Argentina.
The South American team kept gnawing away to the last, pulling the score-line back to 3-2 in stoppage time and then forcing two opportunities for long throws into the box as banging of drums among the Dutch fans briefly turned to missed heartbeats.
Fluttering hearts
And little wonder there were some flutters among the orange army … suddenly the particularly hideous spectre loomed of a penalty shootout if Uruguay could complete a miraculous fight-back and then safely negotiate extra time as well.
Do not mention the word “shootout” to Dutch folk: to say that their national side do them badly would be an understatement.
They have never really recovered from a disastrous rash of them between 1992 and 2000, when Holland were eliminated from three European Championships and one World Cup in that fashion.
There was no question, though, that justice was ultimately served in the lively match with the Dutch booking a berth on Sunday at Soccer City, the venue where they began their 2010 adventure with a workmanlike 2-0 defeat of Denmark on June 14.
Without meaning disrespect to the Uruguayans, many neutrals will be pleased that a particularly spicy final is in prospect now, whether Holland’s foes are to be the current European champions or that old nemesis in sporting and other significant ways, the Germans.
Indeed, you will find no lack of Dutch people secretly willing on a meeting with Germany, given that it represents an opportunity to avenge 1974, when Holland’s famous “Total Football” side earned the largely unwanted mantle – probably to this day – of best side not win the World Cup. Yes, courtesy of 2-1 defeat at the last hurdle to Germany.
Four years later in Argentina, a Dutch side thought to be in decline and not heavily touted, ironically came even closer to lifting soccer’s top prize.
In a spiteful Buenos Aires final, once again taking on the tournament’s host nation, Holland lost 3-1 although it was a deceptive outcome: they had struck back late in normal time to level at 1-1, and then in stoppage time Robbie Rensenbrink struck the base of a post.
Chance spurned, and Argentina duly netted twice in extra time to leave the Dutch shattered all over again.
If there is one comfort in South Africa, Holland know that they most certainly won’t be playing the host country in their third final, a pleasant and perhaps inspiring change for them.
Sumptuous strike
And speaking of Bafana Bafana, Siphiwe Tshabalala’s sumptuous strike to open the scoring at this World Cup against Mexico has now been equalled and arguably even eclipsed for left-footed majesty by Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s to set the Dutch on their way against Uruguay, some 60 matches later.
Each found the far top corner like a thunderbolt, with Tshabalala’s from a tighter angle but Van Bronckhorst’s superior for distance.
Progressively more dangerous and creative in the top half of the pitch in the semi-final, with Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Wesley Sneijder to the fore, the Dutch may nevertheless be a little perturbed that they conceded two goals in a game for the first time at this World Cup.
But will that fact have dampened the partying vibe of their supporters in Somerset Road and Long Street into the wee hours of Wednesday morning?
I somehow doubt it …
