People convinced me the final of the Soccer world cup 2010 in South Africa was interesting with the Dutch playing well… so with renewed hope (it’s been a while since I last checked the state of Orange football) I watched a recording, and unfortunately have to disagree.

What I saw was the Dutch playing the same old utterly boring game they have for the last 30 years (basically post-Cruyff). Different players yes, but they’re coached by old Dutch internationals, so it’s basically a clear continuation of the same strategy and attitude. Let’s summarise:

• forward: going solo until stuck;
• passing: a) stopping and failing a pass through lack of accuracy or b) passing backwards all the way back to the goalkeeper;
• irritating misdemeanors, collecting yellow cards;
• arranging free kicks through strategic falls (I can cope with that occasionally, but this is more main habit).

The commentators call it a waiting strategy (holding out for an opportunity) while the Spanish (and other more interesting teams) play “Total Football” – in connection with this, they keep moving (forward!) and pass accurately in mid flight. This makes for an interesting game.

The Dutch now have a tradition of being good in “not losing”, but that kind of defensive game is not the same as winning (an opportunity may not come if you don’t take initiative; and a single goal can wipe you out, as this final showed once again – I reckon the Spanish entirely deserved the win, considering how they played) and no less important it’s definitely not the recipe for providing the stadium or home audience with an entertaining event.

Comparing with the game of Snooker, in the UK where it’s commonly televised, there’s actually a rule that the game has to remain interesting! If a player stuffs around for too long, the umpire declares a foul and the turn passes to the other player. No kidding. I’d so love something like this to apply to football matches as well!

The irony is that Total Football was invented by (later Dutch coach) Rinus Michels, and Johan Cruyff was one of the greatest experts in this very active and engaging strategy. Where did things go so wrong that other countries currently at least partially do it (like the Spanish) and along  the way deliver something watchable, while the Dutch bore me to tears – that is if the annoyance doesn’t get to me first.

There’s much talent there going to waste, as well as entertainment value. Should Orange have a foreign coach for a bit, perhaps? A Spaniard, Brazilian, Brit? Or can the Dutch themselves just please pull their finger out and start using their skills for delivering active, interesting and probably also more successful games….. one hopes.