Dutch in tough to reach World Cup
Netherlands still technically control their own fate, but need to score in bunches
The Netherlands is in serious danger of missing out on the World Cup, heading into their final two group games.
In theory their destiny is still in their own hands, but they could really use some help from another country. Unfortunately that country is Luxembourg.
The Dutch are in third place in Group A, trailing runners-up Sweden by three points. They need to move into second to stay alive. On Saturday the Swedes host Luxembourg while the Dutch are away to last-place Belarus. The big showdown comes on Tuesday when the Netherlands host Sweden in Amsterdam. A win could move the Netherlands into second place, but it will likely all come down to goal difference, where the Swedes are already six goals to the better. The Dutch may find themselves needing to win by four goals or more on Tuesday, which won’t be easy.
The Dutch revolutionized the game in the 1970s, but critics say they haven’t kept pace with the times. While the Dutch style has evolved in places like Spain, it’s remained stagnant in the Netherlands, where there’s been a lack of foreign coaching influence. The modern pressing style and improvements in fitness have not been embraced by most Dutch coaches, and we’re seeing the results.
Do or die
There are a number of other key games in European qualifying coming up. Belgium, England and Germany are the European sides that have officially clinched a World Cup place, leaving 27 others still alive, competing for Europe’s remaining 10 spots. Six more group winners will advance automatically in the next few days, while the top eight second-place teams will move onto a playoff, with four from that group advancing to the World Cup.
The closest battle is in Group I, where just two points separate the top four teams. Third place Turkey hosts second place Iceland in a battle of ice and fire today, while the other two sides, Ukraine and leaders Croatia, clash in Kiev Monday.
Another big game on Monday is in Group D, as Wales hosts the Republic of Ireland in a battle for second place. Wales is without Gareth Bale, who suffered a calf sprain. The Welsh haven’t won a game without Bale in the lineup since 2013. The match could end in heartbreak for both sides, as only eight of the nine second-place teams advance to the playoffs. The Welsh are the bottom-ranked runner-up right now.
Around the globe
It’s crunch time for the U.S., who suffered a disastrous 2-0 loss at home to Costa Rica last month, and are in fourth place in the CONCACAF hexagonal behind Panama. The Americans host Panama in Orlando on Saturday before closing out their hex away to last-place Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday.
The fourth-place team in CONCACAF would end up in a playoff against the fifth-placed team from Asia. That will either be Australia or war-torn Syria, who play their deciding head-to-head playoff match Tuesday in Sydney. The first leg finished 1-1. If Australia advances to face the U.S., I think that would be a fascinating contest. Or we could even see Syria against the U.S., which would really be something!
Other big games coming up include Nigeria hosting Zambia in a top-of-the-table clash in Africa’s Group B, while in South America, runaway leaders Brazil host confederation champions Chile on Tuesday. The Chileans are on the bubble in qualifying, in a battle along with Argentina and Peru.
You can’t lose them all
A team in Brazil has upset some if its fans by going on a winning streak! Brazilian side Ibis Sport is often billed as the worst team in the world, a title they earned in the 1980s when they went three years and 11 months without a win, landing them in the Guinness World Records.
Many fans take pride in the title, and became upset recently when the team started winning games! Last month Ibis won three straight, and is now undefeated in five, with only one goal conceded in that time. It’s the longest unbeaten run in the club’s 79-year history.
Ibis is now top of the table in the lowest division of the Pernambuco state championship, and gunning for promotion.
It just goes to show that when you’ve hit rock bottom, there is nowhere to go but up.
Bob Lenarduzzi is president of Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Tickets: visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets