Netherlands Enter Round of 16 Unconvincingly, How Can They Improve?

Netherlands has become the first nation among the participating 32 nations to guarantee their place in the round of 16 after the win against Japan.

However, the performance of the Dutch has been a major disappointment to their most loyal fans. After the horrendous own goal that left the Dutch at an advantage against the Danes, the clockwork Oranje has not clicked barring small fits of energetic outbursts.

After the day's last encounter where Denmark overcame the Cameroonians to make them the first team to crash out of the World Cup, the Netherlands have become certain for the Round of 16 after having amassed a total of the 6 points possible in 2 encounters of the Group.

Although, the Dutch still have a mathematical chance of not finishing first in Group E, a lot of measures must be taken by Mr. Van Marwijk if the team is to make it big. The opportunity to do so has been almost handed over to them by the Danes. What that means is Van Marwijk can now experiment with his squad in their final encounter and the renowned powerful Dutch reserve bench should have some very critical match exposure.

In a move that really surprised me was the very late entry of Elia, after the 23 year -old had really played the best Dutch Football in his short spell versus the Danes. Arjen Robben's absence has necessarily been felt at the Dutch camp and certainly in the team's on-field performances. Elia has proved that he is the man to take Robben's place in the squad, providing the perfect mix of creative football and attacking flair that the team needs. In all probability after his show of form , Elia earnestly deserves a start for his National tea.

Other areas of concern come from the fact that their striking ace, Robin Van Persie is apparently not at his best. Van Persie was tipped to be one of the players of the tournament before the World Cup started, so far he has done little to impress. Missing clear chances, misfiring, mis-passing etc. In the match coming up against Cameroon, the Netherlands have a great chance to may be even try Klaas Jan Huntelaar for most part of the game to at least give the player some vital confidence ahead of the more critical knock-out stages.

Ibrahim Afellay was also one of the bright youngsters who was considered very late in both the last two encounters for the Dutch, and versus Japan, he missed at least two  golden opportunities to thump the Asian challenge once and for all. However, Afellay has been seen as a great promise for the Dutch team, and should be given a go much earlier so that he learns to adapt quickly to the unfamiliar African climate . Liverpoool player Ryan Babel who is yet to make his first appearance for his team at the World Cup is also a contention.

The Netherlands played extremely defensively against the Japanese last day and also for quite some time versus the Danes with a lot of back passes and square balls, a manner which is not their natural style of play. What they did there by was take most of the possession where they almost monopolised it, however it makes their game very uncharacteristic of the Dutch.

Sometimes these things pay-off, mostly they don't.

The Dutch thus has to manage a more smooth and able display in their last game of the Group and also ahead in the future games, where scoring goals would be all important so as to finish the game without the gamble of tie-breakers. 

Lastly, the senior players like Van Der Vaart, Kuyt, Sneijder etc..really have to step up the gas. Their last few performances have also been far below par . As these players are the ones who can not only score but also create chances for strikers up front, it is mighty vital that they improve upon their midfield ball distribution skills and get more creative and attacking in their approach.

All in all as the next matches crop up fast and quick , the Dutch have to do a lot better than what they have so far managed to overcome the potential candidates who are considered favorites for the tournament, otherwise the chokers tag could again come back to haunt them.