Holland Go Home With A Few Souvenir Red Cards

When Holland began their World Cup 2006 campaign my biggest worry was their defense. Young and inexperienced, even with Edwin Van Der Sar in goal, they looked likely to be pried apart by the quick and savvy passing of Argentina, Brazil or Portugal. Turns out it was the offence that showed its immaturity. Robben, who after the first game looked a likely player of the tournament, showed less with every game he played till he disappeared almost completely against Portugal. Dirk Kuyt, who some describe as a hardworking, English style striker (6’7” and half useless) had the hard working part down. It’s the other part of that equation he was missing. The important part. The midfield lacked creativity. Raphael van Der Vaart has never really lived up to his early billing as the new Van Basten, a tag a-fixed to him at Ajax before poor form saw him move to Hamburg. Wesley Sneijder didn’t have much to offer either. Mark Van Bommell seemed only interested in shooting from distance and fouling whoever got near him. Although he did display a remarkable ability to coax a head butt out of Luis Figo.
And then there was the officiating. Sources tell me that the refs have entered into an odd game of one-upmanship where they try to out suck each other on the pitch. Jorge Larrionda went first, turning the USA v. Italy game into display of shinny new yellow and red cards. Graham Poll then decided to disregard the rules entirely and be creative in his use of yellow cards. Three yellows for the same player? Beat that. It’s genius, in its own way. But Valentin Ivanov outdid them all. Four reds! He actually had to order more red cards as he wore out the ones he had. And apparently Ivanov doesn’t believe karate kicking a player n the chest as he goes for the ball in the box is a punishable offense. You gotta love a ref who thinks solely outside the box. But in the end it all comes down to one thing. Portugal finished their chances, Holland did not.