Netherlands 3-2 Australia: 5 Talking Points

Netherlands proved that the Dutch way is never the easy way. After taking a 1-0 lead, the Dutch squandered it to be 2-1 down just before the hour mark. But, just like they did against Spain, they came from behind to win it 3-2 and sealed their place in the next round,becomingthe first team todoso.Here are 5major talking points from the game.

#1 Two attack-minded teams make for a breath-taking game of football

Before the start of this game, Netherlands were expected to trounce the Australians, but Van Gall and his team knew that it was very unlikely. Given the attacking nature of both sides, the match promised to be an entertaining end-to-end encounter between two sides who really wanted to win.

And that is precisely what happened in what might well be the game of the Group stage so far. Both teams went forward in great numbers and attacked with great vigour and intensity. Neither side sat back, even when they had the lead. Something that is proven by the fact that there were two lead changes in the match and plenty of chances for both sides even after the Dutch scored their third and decisive goal.

Lots of goals, chances created and entertainment for those in the stands, this match was a testament to how the World Cup has been so far.

#2 Cahill signs off with a wonder goal

Before the start of the tournament, there weren’t too many who predicted Australia to get out of the Group. But, one player on whom, big expectations were placed was Tim Cahill. The Socceroos’ all-time leading goal scorer.

If they had any chance, then Cahill had to have a blinder. In the opening game against Chile, he almost single-handedly earned his side a point.

Against the Dutch, he scored what might very well be his last World Cup goal to equalise for his side. Having picked up a yellow card for a challenge that sent Bruno Martins Indi on a stretcher, Cahill will miss his side’s final game against holders Spain. But, if the goal that he scored was the last he will ever score, then there couldn’t have been a better way to sign off.

Not only was the volley from an arching ball a difficult skill to execute, the fact that he hit it with his wrong foot, the left, made it even more special. It was without doubt, the goal of the tournament so far and if we see a better goal than that, then we will surely have seen something.

#3 Sneijders form a cause for concern

They might have made their way into the second round, courtesy of two wins over Spain and Australia, but it is not all smooth sailing for the Dutch. The form of their most experienced player in the current squad is certainly a cause for concern for the Dutch. Sneijder, who was their main man from their last World Cup in which they went all the way to the final has thus far remained anonymous for the Dutch.

While the form of Robben and Van Persie has brought them two wins so far, given the latter’s suspension in their next game against Chile, they need the attacking midfielder to get back into form, and fast.

Against Australia, Sneijder was far from convincing as he gave the ball away far too often and didn’t really have too much of an impact on the game. While it has been fine thus far, unless Sneijder finds his form soon, the Dutch will find it difficult to go too far into the competition.

#4 Van Gaals tactical switch pays dividends

Before the start of the World Cup, Van Gaal said that his squad was tactically highly flexible and that he could even change the formation during the game as well. Against Australia, an injury to Martins Indi forced the Dutchman into making a substitution.

And instead of replacing him with another centre-back, he replaced him with a young winger in Memphis Depay and went from a 3-4-3 to a 4-2-3-1 with Depay and Robben playing either side of Sneijder as the three men, just behind Van Persie.

After enjoying a far from fruitful first half attacking wise, the substitution meant that the Dutch had more men in the attack in the second half. Although Sneijder was off-colour yet again, the form of Memphis Depay was something that would encourage Van Gaal.

The PSV winger, playing in his first-ever World Cup game finished with a goal and an assist and repaid the faith shown by his manager and ensured that his tactical switch paid off in the end.

#5 Socceroos pay the penalty for not taking their chances

Before the start of the game, Socceroos’ coach Ange Postecoglou promised that his players would take the game to Holland. True to his word, they did and by the time the final whistle came through, there was a sense of what might have been for the Australians. Playing without fear or any inhibition, the Australians controlled much of the game and were unlucky to have scored only two goals.

Two of Netherland’s three goals came from Australia’s failure to take their chances and the other came from a mistake near the half-way line. On another day, all three could have been avoided. But the real problem for the Socceroos, was their defensive discipline, but rather their inability to finish off the game.

When Mathew Leckie, who was a constant thorn for Holland throughout the game could only gently chest the ball with almost the entire goal at his feet, there was a sense that it wasn’t going to be their day. Even after the Dutch scored the third, the Australians created some very good openings.

Unfortunately, their failure to finish them, eventually led to their exit from the World Cup in which they have won more than a few hearts.