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Dear Oranje,
In the aftermath of your premature elimination from Euro 2012, I felt utter disappointment – no hatred, no anger, just disappointment, which triggered me to write this open letter.
You came into the tournament having put 37 beautiful goals past hapless opposition defences in the qualifiers. You played free-flowing, fascinating football with a certain finesse and fluidity that caused us to compare you to the legendary Dutch generations of the magical 70’s and 80’s. You had at your disposal numerous stars who in their late 20’s seemed to be peaking and at the prime of their careers. A midfield consisting of the likes of Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder, Nigel De Jong, Mark van Bommel, Ibrahim Afellay
and Arjen Robben was expected to split opposing defences like a machete and of course with a forward line which included two Golden Boot winners in their respective leagues in Arsenal’s Captain Vantastic and the Hunter, you were rightfully called the favourites to win the tournament. We really thought it was the rise of an Orange moon.
In the first match against Denmark, we saw a Netherlands side that couldn’t convert any chances. The Dutch controlled the majority of the possession and played in quite a confident manner. We watched with anticipation and anxiety, waiting for the breakthrough. Surprisingly, it came from the Danes through Michael Krohn-Dehli. Heart sunken and yet hopeful, we cheered you on for the remainder, hoping that our cries would trigger an adrenaline rush, hoping that you would equalise and eventually emerge victorious. The efforts proved to be in vain. The loss was written off as a surprise upset and we were still confident. After all, Spain had lost their first match at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa by the same scoreline and they went on to win the tournament.
In the 2nd match, we expected a few changes in the side but got none. Germany were always going to be formidable opponents and the match was quite evenly contested to be honest. We did have some clear shots on goal and they did too. The only crucial difference was that they took their chances and we simply couldn’t capitalise. The loss in this match was like a rusty wrench twisting our hearts into a big knot. That defeat virtually confirmed our exit. Only a small mathematical chance existed for us to make it through. What was even more heart-breaking was the attitude of the players; the public mutiny of an experienced player like Robben, the dressing room issues brought out into the media – as if we didn’t have enough to worry about already?
In the 3rd match, van Maarwijk made the changed we’d expected in the match against Germany by bringing in van der Vaart and Huntelaar and axing his son-in-law on Father’s day. At the start of the game, we believed this team can actually capitalise on that small mathematical chance and anchor the ship through to the last 8. After van der Vaart’s opener past the Portuguese goal-keeper Rui Patricio, we thought the Dutch spark had been re-lit – just one more goal would do the job for us. Unfortunately, we were proved wrong. Just attacking changes couldn’t do the job as we were proved by Ronaldo who left Mathijsen and Vlaar chasing the caliginosity as van der Wiel went missing. He struck twice and kicked us firmly out of the competition.
Kevin Strootman is one player whose talent needs to be utilised at the earliest by the Oranje.
It was perhaps a reality check for us. That the stars who took us to the finals in 2010 cannot be counted upon anymore. The likes of van Bommel and Sniejder have faded and the personalities of van der Vaart and Robben continue to cause unrest in the dressing room. I don’t believe the coach is to be blamed – after all, he depended on those who we thought and those who upto now were very reliable. The players need to step it up and new talent needs to be reinforced. The likes of Strootman, Pieters, Bruma and the two de Jong brothers have to be introduced more often into the starting XI to be given a chance to prove their mettle. We have no deficiency of talent as the Netherlands remains the football factory it has been but it is high time we start to use that talent in major competitions. The Germans have taken a chance with their youth and stand currently as the most talented side arguably in the world, playing the brand of football which is synonymous with us – Total Football. Ironic isn’t it? That in two years , we get beaten by two teams playing what was originally our style of football.
The Oranje faithful will always remain faithful to you, I assure you of that. We do not get anything when you win trophies. We do not get the money, the fame or even the slightest touch of the trophy. All that we get is bragging rights among the football community and the sheer joy of watching a great footballing nation play great football and getting what they deserve. We will offer you our unwavering boost of support come what may, and all that we ask of you in return is to put all your personal differences aside and play an eye-catching brand – OUR eye-catching brand of football in unity for the nation and its football fans.
Hup Hup Holland! Kom op Oranje!
Sincerely,
An Oranje Fan Who Believes.
We’ll always believe in you.. Kom op!
