World Cup 2014 Team-by-Team Guide: Holland to wilt in the heat
Published:With Mark van Bommel retired, De Jong will take up the mantle of team hardman following a season in which he ranked up 12 yellow cards for the Rossoneri.
How far can they go?
The Dutch don’t tend to do things by halves when it comes to football, meaning they could either crash out in the groups or make it all the way to the semi-finals.
However, with the Oranje rarely tested during qualifying and beaten 2-0 by France in convincing fashion in a recent friendly, a repeat of their Euro 2012 horror show is not out of the question.
Defeat in their opening game against Spain could be disastrous and with Chile boasting a talented and well-organised team with less pressure on their shoulders and experience of playing in Brazil, an early exit looks a good shout.
Manchester United’s public pursuit of Van Gaal has hardly helped the team stay focused and with key players struggling for form, the Dutch could be in serious trouble.
To win the World Cup: 28/1
Best World Cup Bet: Holland to exit in the group stage 8/5
Watch the Netherlands have it all their own way as they put eight past Hungary in qualifying
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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