FIFA World Cup 2010 : Information on Netherlands

Netherlands makes ninth appearances to FIFA World Cup 2010 and ended as a runner-up for the third times. This is the fourth times they finish as top four in FIFA World Cup history.

They went to South Africa with an excellent track record when winning eight straight matches at the qualifying stage and proceeded to another six straight win before subdued by Spain in the final. In the final they lost to Spain 1-0.

During the Qualifying stage Dirk Kuyt and Klass Jan Huntelaar became the main scorer with each contributed three goals. However, Wesley sneijder more prominent at the FIFA World Cup 2010, scoring five goals and once shared with Diego Forlán, Thomas Muller and David Villa as top scorer.

Netherlands emerged as the major powers in the sport of football began in 1974 to 1978. They come with the pattern of total football game, which was introduced by Ajax and led by Johan Cruyff to appear at the final stage for the first time. However, they lost to hosts Germany 2-1.

Interval of two years they managed to finish in third place in the European Cup in 1976. In the semi-finals they lost to Chezskolavakia.

1978, they again appear to FIFA World Cup final match despite the absence of major star Johan Cruyff. Like in 1974 they again met the host team in the final stage but this time they will be Argentina. The host nation once again beat them with a score of 3-1.

After the era of Total Football greatness Netherlands failed qualified to FIFA World Cup in 1982 and 1986. They comeback to the FIFA World Cup began in 1990 and continues until the FIFA World Cup 2010 except in 2002 when they failed to qualified. For the period of 20 years from 1990 to 2010, Netherlands best achievements are finished third place in 1998 and runner-up in 2010.

Unlike the fate of the Netherlands in the European Cup, when emerging European champions in 1988. Marco Van Basten and Ruud Gullit became the main planners of their success during the year. After 1988 they made it to the Semi Final by three times (1992, 2000 and 2004) and Quarter Final two times (1996 and 2008).