By Paul Gardner Images of the recent World Cup final linger on in my mind. Andres Iniesta’s goal, of course, now made more lustrous by knowledge we could not have atthe time, that this was the winning goal. But beyond that … what else is there that remains from that game, that climactic game, that […]
netherlands
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Bayern livid over Robben injury
Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt, German champion Bayern Munich’s doctor, accused the Netherlands of irresponsible behavior for allowing Arjen Robben to play at the World Cup with a torn muscle in his left thigh that will keep him out of the first two months of the Bundesliga season, which beginsAug. 20.
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
FIFA fines Netherlands and Spain for conduct in final
FIFA fined World Cup champion Spain 10,000 Swiss francs ($9,600) and the runner-up Netherlands 15,000 Swiss francs ($14,400) for the poor conduct of their players in the most ill-tempered final inthe history of the World Cup. The Dutch received eight yellow cards and defender John Heitinga was sent off, while Spain had five players booked.The […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Dutch rewarded with rest
France coach Laurent Blanc suspended all 23 World Cup players for the Bleus’ Aug. 11 friendly at Norway as punishment for their mutiny at the World Cup.Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk rewarded his players by resting all but one player for the Netherlands’ game at Euro 2010 co-host Ukraine on the same day. Reserve goalkeeperMichel […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: Dutch Depart with their Cleats Held High
By Paul Gardner So the Dutch played anti-soccer in the World Cup final? That’s the opinion of the greatest of all Dutch players, Johan Cruyff. Is he right? First of all, to get the irrelevant out of the way. A debate has arisen over what anti-soccer means. Frankly, who cares what name is given to […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Referee Webb satisfied with job in World Cup final
[REACTION] English referee Howard Webb, who booked 13 different players and sent off Dutchman John Heitinga, says he and refereeing team were satisfied with doing a tough job in difficult circumstances in Sunday’s World Cup final won by Spain, 1-0. “Wedon’t feel that we had much choice except to manage the game in the way […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Soccer America World Cup XI
[BEST OF THE WORLD CUP] Spain, winner of its first World Cup with a 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Sunday’s final, dominated the Soccer America World Cup XIwith seven selections. Goalkeeper — Iker Casillas. Spain’s captain gets the nod over MaartenStekelenburg of the Netherlands. Casillas wasn’t needed much early in the tournament, but […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: Spain worthy winners! Dutch deserved losers
By Paul Gardner Spain triumphant, worthy winners! The Netherlands dejected — and deserved losers. This was terribly disappointing from the Dutch. In fact their play attimes bordered on the disgraceful. Not what was to be expected in the grand final. But there was not too much “grand” about this game. For the umpteenth time, a […]
Posted inSpecial Edition, Story
Netherlands Player Ratings
[REPORT CARD] Soccer America’s Ridge Mahoney grades the Dutch players in the Netherlands’ 1-0 loss to Spain in the WorldCup final on Sunday. The Dutch fell despite carving out good opportunities that Arjen Robben failed to convert. After scoring 12 goals in six gamesleading up to the final, the Dutch were shut out for the […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Van Marwijk: 'Spain was the better team'
[REACTION] Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk criticized English referee Howard Webbfor his work in the World Cup final that descended into a foulfest but could not find fault with the outcome. “I don’t think the referee controlled the match well,” said Van Marwijk.”Both sides committed fouls. That may be regrettable for a final. But the […]