That is how long has passed between the gifted centre-forward high-fiving Louis van Gaal on the touchline in Brazil during a 5-1 humbling of champions Spain and Tuesday night’s confirmation that there would be no Dutch side in France next summer.
Progression was unlikely for Van Persie and co. They needed to beat the Czech Republic and rely on surprise qualifiers Iceland turning over Turkey in Konya.
Holland, ridiculously, were non-qualifying certainties and it comes as no surprise that they will be spending next June pretending the big show over the other side of Belgium is not happening.
What is slightly surprising is the shambolic nature of how the end came.
The knives have been out for Van Persie, the fallen hero, for a while but even the gloomiest of doom-mongers would have predicted an own goal for the former star and a yellow card for a frankly pathetic attempt at winning a penalty.
In Brazil he was flying through the air to head one of the best World Cup goals.
In Amsterdam he was flying through the air in a desperate bid to try and con the referee into giving his side a penalty.
It was futile. Turkey’s 1-0 victory meant the Dutchmen would not be flying anywhere.
0 comments:
Post a Comment