Salvador: World Cup has seen many star individuals like Pele, Maradona, Cruyff take the limelight in the past, but never has anyone accepted the phrase 'One man team' in a sport which consist of eleven players. If Dutch does manage to lift the famous old trophy on 13th July, then they will definitely be termed as a one man team and the man will be their coach Louis Van Gaal.
Starting from the incredible odd formation which he put in place against the defending world champions Spain in the opening group match to the last minute substitution of taking the goal keeper who played for 120 minutes for a second choice keeper for the penalty shootout against Costa Rica in the quarter-finals, he has been the main reason behind Dutch success in this year's World Cup.
When Kevin Strootman, AS Roman midfielder who was the heart of Dutch midfield was ruled out of the World Cup, Van Gaal switched from their usual 4-3-3 to 5-3-2 formation, as he felt that he had no player of the calibre to replace the Dutch no.6. Hence, Holland faced the defending champions Spain in a rather unfamiliar formation of 5-3-2 with De Vrij, Vlaar and Martins Indi played at the back and Jamnaat and Blind played as wing backs. De Jong, Sneijder and Guzman occupied the middled and their captain Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben played up front.
The tactics worked incredibly well as Netherlands destroyed Spain 5-1. Hence Van Gaal decided to stay with the same formation in their next match against Australia. However, as Australia went 2-1 up in the second half, they switched to 3-4-3 by bringing on young Memphis Depay who scored the winner as dutch came from behind to beat Austarlia 3-2.
In the next match against Chile, Netherlands again started with the same 5-3-2 formation. As the match remained goalless, Van Gaal once again switched to a 3-4-3 formation. Yet again late goals from substitutes Leroy Fer and Depay helped them get a late 2-0 victory.
Then came Mexico in the round of 16, during which Van Gaal switched from Plan A to Plan B and finally to Plan C to help the Dutch win the match in the last few minutes.
Dutch started in their usual 5-3-2 against Mexico, but nothing got going for Netherlands in the first half. After Mexico took the lead early in the second half, Dutch switched to 3-4-3, by bring on Depay, but still nothing changed. Hence, Van Gaal who is not afraid to make big decisions took off their star front man and captain Van Persie and brought on Huntelaar in the second half cooling break during the 75th minute. Dirk Kuyt, who started as left wing back was moved to right back in the same match and then was asked to play up front with Huntelaar.
After that switch, Dutch ignored their total football style and started to hit long diagonal crosses from the left side with Kuyt and Huntelaar as targets. That change proved dividends, as Dutch won a corner through one of the long balls from which Sneijder equalised late on and substitute Huntelaar scored a 94th minute penalty to help the Dutch reach the quarter finals.
Against Costa Rica in the quarter finals, Holland surprisingly started in a 3-4-3 formation and stuck with it right till the second half of extra-time even though it did not work out. Van Gaal finally took off one of the centre back's Martins Indi and brought on Huntelaar as Dutch switched to a traditional 4-4-2 in the 105th minute.
Although that wasn't the master move, it was when he took off their keeper Jasper Cillessen in the 120th minute and replaced him with Newcastle United's Tim Krul for the shoot out. The move which raised eyebrows paid its reward as Krul cruelly saved two penalties from Cost Rican players to bring their dream World Cup run to an end. Thereby helping Dutch reach there second successive World Cup semifinals where they will play two time winners Argentina.
Dutch has reached finals three times in the past, but has never won the World Cup. With a tactical genius in Louis Van Gaal at their dressing room, Holland fans may finally believe this may be their year.
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