Team Netherlands in World Cup Football

The Netherlands National team (a.k.a. Team Holland) has participated in eight of the fifteen world cups for which they attempted to qualify. During their best seasons, back in the 1970s, the Dutch team managed to reach the finals, only to have that ultimate win evade them. Still, with talent and determination, they continue their quest for the elusive World Cup win.

Holland has a knack for losing to host countries. In 1974 they had a lead in the final match of the Cup against host-team, Germany. They lost in a heartbreaking match by a score of 2-1. Then, just four years later when Argentina hosted the World Cup, it was Team Holland facing them in the final and, once more they fell, losing this time by a 3-1 margin in overtime.

Holland probably looks back at the 1970s as more than just the year of Disco. It was their era of glory. Since that decade, the nearest they’ve come to another World Cup final match was a semi-final against Brazil in 1998.

Of course, while they haven’t won the Cup, they have had some memorable moments in tournament play. A couple of them came in 1978 when the Dutch encountered some odd situations. For instance, in the 1978 second round match against Italy, Dutch player Ernie Brandts became the only player to score a goal and own a goal in the same match.

They won 2-1. Then, during that same Cup tournament, in 1978, a player for Team Holland, Rene Van der Kerkhof had to have a plaster dressing on his injured hand covered by a soft dressing due to complaints by the opposing team’s coach that the hard plaster cast might inflict injury.

With a couple of wins already at this year’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the team is looking solid and who knows what may happen? Perhaps this will be the year Team Holland not only makes it to the final, but wins it, as well.