Dark Horses

Holland have often been described as inconsistent and unpredictable but anyone who doubts their credentials as serious outsiders for the 2006 World Cup should review their performance against Serbia and Montenegro.

There is no more apt symbol of this Jeykll and Hyde team than Arjen Robben. Spectators at Chelsea games know only too well how easily his football skills can be overshadowed by the darker arts of conspiring to get opposition players booked or sent off. But when he is on his game, as he was in this World Cup opener, he is compulsive viewing.

To begin with, the awkwardness of his running style, which is reminiscent of a middle aged spinster whose bunions are playing up, belies his real pace. Add to that superb close control, the versatility to operate from either flank, excellent crossing ability and finishing power and you have a defender’s nightmare when he is in the mood.

Against Serbia and Montenegro he was so devastating he ran away with the man of the match awards, scoring the winner as he swept onto Robin Van Persie’s perfectly weighted through ball and generally producing a display which was almost faultless. But if there was one reservation it was an element of selfishness which on occasions drove him to strike at goal when others were better placed. A more mature, more complete player would have appreciated those situations and reacted accordingly.

Nevertheless, Robben was clearly the star in an effervescent Dutch performance full of fluent, inventive attacking football. A performance that had confidence written all over it, yet remarkably produced a solitary goal despite numerous close encounters – none more so than a fizzing low free kick from Van Persie which shaved the far post, having miraculously evaded the attention of several Dutch players and a few defenders.

If Holland can build on this display and increase their fire power (something which will require a more significant contribution from Van Nistelrooy) other sides should beware. They will be very dangerous opponents.