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The road leading to the training center that the Netherlands uses for its World Cup base camp was supposed to be welcoming, with those “welcome” signs in Dutch making one of the world’s best teams feel right at home.
Even the street name Teal Rising Way — an homage to the Kansas City Current, the National Women’s Soccer League franchise whose facility the Dutch use — was temporarily changed to “Oranje Rising Way” for the next six weeks in honor of the team’s orange colors.
But maybe someone should have reconsidered the white signs marking World Cup milestones for the Netherlands.
Each of them reminds us that the country has still never won the tournament.
“How far can we go? Yes, I hope until the end,” said defender Virgil van Dijk, who will be playing in his second World Cup and will once again captain the Dutch team in the group match against Japan on Sunday in Dallas.
“We know how difficult it will be,” admitted the Liverpool player after a recent training session under a relentless Midwest sun that pushed the heat index into triple digits. “But first and foremost we will focus on Japan. That’s where all our attention will be. We won’t look too far ahead. But we all have big dreams and we will give everything we have.”
The Dutch have reached three World Cup finals but still haven’t won it all
The Dutch have long held the unwelcome nickname of the greatest nation never to win the World Cup trophy. In fact, they are the only nation to have reached three finals without triumph.
In 1974, the Netherlands returned to the World Cup after nearly four decades of drought, and Johan Cruyff’s dazzling play took them to the final. There, the Dutch faced West Germany and its star player, Franz Beckenbauer. The Netherlands scored early from the penalty spot, but West Germany responded with two goals before halftime, and the Dutch failed to find the net in the second half in front of a crowd of more than 78,000 at Munich’s Olympiastadion.
It was disappointing, of course, but ask any Dutch fan, and they’ll say 1978 stung even more.
Once again, facing the hosts in the final, Argentina led 1-0 at half-time before Dick Nanninga managed to equalize in the 82nd minute. The match remained tied during extra time, when Mario Kempes scored his second goal of the match for the host Argentines, and Daniel Bertoni added another for good measure in front of a raucous crowd at the River Plate stadium in Buenos Aires.
The Dutch reached their third final in 2010, when they faced Spain for the title in Johannesburg, South Africa. This match was also decided in overtime after the teams reached a stalemate, with Andrés Iniesta scoring in the 116th minute.
Strong results at some recent World Cups give Dutch reason to believe
The Netherlands reached the semi-finals in 2014 before inexplicably failing to qualify in 2018. But it was back in 2022 in Qatar with van Dijk leading the way. The Dutch made it through group play while conceding just one goal, then dominated the United States in the round of 16 before losing to eventual champion Argentina on penalties in the quarterfinals.
But won on penalties and the Dutch are undefeated in their last 12 World Cup matches. The only nation with such a longer streak is Brazil, who were 13 consecutive matches behind Pelé’s brilliant play between 1958 and 1966.
“I think we have a great group of players, especially human beings. We get along very well with each other,” van Dijk said. “But obviously it’s all about results. It’s all about performance. All the players who are here, especially over the years, they are players who have played at the highest level, who have experienced incredible things during their career. Winning trophies. Playing for the biggest clubs.
“They come together here and try to make their country proud. It’s the greatest thing you can do.”
Even though the Dutch are favorites to advance from their group, the path to the round of 16 will not be easy. The trio of Japan, Sweden and Tunisia represents a tricky series of matches and coach Ronald Koeman’s team has suffered from injuries; Defender Jurrien Timber has already left the club with a groin injury and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen is nursing a recent hip injury.
It is unclear whether Verbruggen will play against Japan on Sunday.
“We know Japan is strong. We have analyzed the team and the players,” Koeman said. “We talked about their system, where they usually play, and the physical condition of their players. It’s difficult. But we believe in ourselves. We respect Japan, but we are the Netherlands and they will respect us. I think it will be an interesting and difficult match.”
Associated Press reporting.
