I was saying before the match how many unknowns in the Dutch team! Usually I know every player they use, but yesterday I couldn't say I've watched many of them.
Yeah, it's because we have a bunch of failed players in the 25-30 age bracket, players like Babel, Afellay, Emanuelson and a bunch more. None of them are part of this squad. So we've had to rely on younger and inexperienced players, most are still playing in the Dutch eredivisie, for many it was their first tournament.
I know what you mean about Van Gaal's style being generally much more attacking than that, but I was impressed with the systematic long balls to the likes of RvP and Arjen Robben, it was really impressive. I'm just not sure if that's sustainable, but with the confidence they've gained yesterday, who knows what else they can achieve.
Blind had a great match indeed, Spain had no answer to him as he was deeper than an usual winger. Azpilicueta gave him space as he was too deep, whereas Silva didn't track back. And he put in some absolutely brilliant long passes.
I think with confidence and patience they could do well. Started off a bit sloppy in passing last night, but it got better later. The good thing about these new tactics and formation is that for the first time it gives our team some tactical diversity, we used to always have one style and stick to that. This team can switch back to a more high pressing 4-3-3 without problems as they've played that so much, and most were brought up with that. And they will switch to that against Australia for instance next game, and then back to the 5-3-2 against Chile probably.
Blind isn't really a left back, actually a midfielder, but has ended up playing there alot for Ajax and Netherlands out of need. He has very good vision and passing if he gets the time to pick a pass. He actually really lacks pace for that left back position, but as we're playing with 3 central defenders now he usually has 1 defender covering him and plays more as a wingback himself so it's not as big an issue. However, Spain made a big mistake by playing Silva as a right winger, Pedro could've run riot there with his pace if he had started.
Blind is a cult figure at Ajax and wouldn't surprise me if he became that for Netherlands too. He really struggled at Ajax, was playing awful 2-3 years ago still, Ajax supporters whistling him away, his father's name didn't help him either.(His father actually is one of Van Gaal's assistants now and he's going to take over national team management from Hiddink in 2016) But he has showed heart, worked his ass off and completely turned his career around and has become a fan favourite since.
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