Bert van Marwijk delighted as Netherlands reach 2010 World Cup Final
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk could barely conceal his delight after seeing his side secure their place in the 2010 World Cup Final. Who could blame him?
It was 1978 when the Oranje last appeared in a World Cup Final – 32 long years have since passed, and the days of the legendary Netherlands teams of the 1970s seemed unlikely to ever be replicated.
Yet, last night against Uruguay, they matched the achievements of the fabled “Total Football” sides inspired by Johan Cruyff after winning their third ever World Cup semi-final.
Van Marwijk, who took over from Marco van Basten in 2008, expressed his joy after the final whistle, and now begins preparations for Sunday night’s final against the winner of tonight’s other semi-final between Spain and Germany.
"This is very special. After 32 years we play the final again. Such a small country can be so very proud," the former Feyenoord manager said.
Goals from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben ensured the Netherlands will compete in the final at the Soccer City Stadium on Sunday evening. The match finished 3-2 following a spirited battle against the valiant Uruguayans, but van Marwijk was relieved that his side managed to avoid against complacency.
"Things went wrong now and again but we took the initiative and when we scored to make it 2-1 we had confidence and you saw how well we could play," added Van Marwijk. "Suddenly we were faced with 3-2 and then it was so exciting. It was survival of the fittest in last two minutes. We were so relieved.
"If you truly believe in something you can make it come true."
The Netherlands’ head coach also revealed that he doesn’t have a preference when it comes to his side’s World Cup Final opponents, although he conceded that a rematch of the 1974 final against Germany would be special.
Meanwhile, Sneijder, who scored his fifth goal of the 2010 finals last night to make him joint top scorer alongside Spain’s David Villa, was also overjoyed with the Oranje’s feat in South Africa. "This is unforgettable. It was a tough fight and toward the end we complicated matters. On Sunday we play in the World Cup final. I have to get used to that," the star midfielder said.
"We are so close now. There is nothing bigger than the World Cup."
Understandably, the mood was rather more downbeat in the Uruguay camp. However, head coach Óscar Tabárez couldn’t help but remain pleased with his players’ admirable achievements, and refused to dwell too much on the Netherlands’ controversial second goal.
"It was the second goal that was decisive. Now you can see that Van Persie was offside and that the game could have been different. After that, they were more at ease," Tabárez said. "Officials make mistakes. It wasn't the first time, but it happens everywhere. Not just in the World Cup.
"There's no point crying about it and looking for excuses. We kept trying but it didn't come off.
"I'm proud of the team. They've played on an equal footing with the Netherlands. You couldn't ask for more from these players," Tabárez added. "We went very far, no one expected it, so that helps the sadness of defeat."
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