In the end, the only thing that could beat the Dutch was the Dutch -- and not just because they beat themselves, but because one of their own outsmarted them.Russia head coach Guus Hiddink was born in the Netherlands, coached the Orange in the 1990s and knew plenty about the Dutch style of "Total Football." He showed his young Russian charges how to play that game, and he knew how to exploit the weaknesses in Marco van Basten's side. End result? Russia beat the Netherlands, 3-1, in extra time.
A 85th-minute set piece equalizer by Ruud van Nistelrooy kept alive the hopes of tens of thousands of orange-clad fans in Switzerland, but once extra time started, Andrei Arshavin took over, setting up Dmitri Torbinsky's game-winner in the 112th minute and adding a score of his own four minutes later to clinch it. Arshavin powered Russia's counterattack for 120 minutes and had the Dutch doing something they had not done all tournament -- chasing the game.
Why van Basten didn't get Arjen Robben into the game remains a mystery, but still, his team watched countless scoring chances go begging -- free kicks, corner kicks, open play, you name it. The Orange had their chances, and they blew it.
The Netherlands became the third group-stage winner in this competition to lost their quarterfinal match. Perhaps resting all your players for a game after you clinch your group is a bad strategy. (Say, doesn't that always seem to happen to the Indianapolis Colts, too?) As for Russia, they now await the winner of Spain v. Italy. Oh, by the way, Spain has not beaten Italy in a competitive match in 88 years. Plus, Spain won Group D. No pressure, guys.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-21-2008 @ 8:53PM
The Webloglearner said...
Well, from the start i have been wishing the russian team wins. The dutch have made all the 'troubles' to other big teams such as italy and france and maybe there are many who wish them bad ill.. i am an italy team fan and i live here in italy..maybe the reason why i want dutch not to win is the ride. i just don't know. i hated it when in less than 4 minutes left, the dutch made a real good shot! but at the end, the russians made it. I love the game though, it was a good play .. exciting.
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6-22-2008 @ 2:40AM
irene said...
i dont understand why american media has always to twist everything? Russians won because they played better then the Dutch, ok ? got it? it has nothing to do with Hiddink coaching the orange team etc. i think russians have showed that they are the best upcoming football team. thats all..
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6-22-2008 @ 10:54AM
custodisangelus said...
good call on the indianapolis colts losing after resting their players! i live in indy and can't stand it when dungy rests everyone when we've already clinched a spot in the playoffs. yes, we won a superbowl but the majority of the time is like deja vu. they are professional athletes being paid millions to play so unless they are injured they need to rest when the season is over. screw the notion that they may get injured unnecessarily in a meaningless game. play because you are expected to play to win and don't sit and watch a second string team lose. viva espana!
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6-22-2008 @ 10:59AM
Dave said...
And the year the Colts won the Super Bowl was the year they *couldn't* rest their starters, because they had to scrape and claw for playoff position all the way to the end. Fear of injuries kills your momentum in any kind of football.
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