Van Marwijk guided the team through World Cup qualifying with eight wins in as many matches, but in a group with current European lightweights Iceland, Macedonia, Norway and Scotland, the new coach really didn't get a feel for exactly how good of a team he inherited. Neither did the rest of the world, which could be good for the Netherlands this summer.
The Dutch were second in the World Cup in 1974 and 1978, losing to the hosts both years. The Netherlands lost to West Germany 2-1 in 1974 and Argentina in added extra time 3-1 in 1978. Holland's lone major title is Euro 1988, when it beat host West Germany in the semifinals and the Soviet Union in the final. Van Marwijk enters the 2010 World Cup with only one truly acceptable result, and that's lifting the trophy on July 11 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
For more: The Sports Network - International Soccer (World Cup)
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