And so everything turned out fine. That World Cup ticket that the Netherlands could just have slipped away has arrived. Received it on an evening when there was not an impressive football game, but at the end the required result was nevertheless achieved.
“Nice boys”, Virgil van Dijk shouted through the empty cockpit. Just before that, players and staff members had fallen into each other’s arms. Memphis Depay had just scored the second and liberating goal and secured the three points: 2-0.
Mission accomplished. Off to the desert. On to Qatar.
It had been a long time since the Netherlands should have played such a crucial game as against Norway on Tuesday evening. Yes, the eighth final at the European Championship last summer, that was also important. But in this duel in Rotterdam, something bigger was at stake: an entire tournament. At least three group matches, although not everyone will see the importance of participating. They will say that the upcoming edition of the World Cup would have been best to miss.
It has everything to do with the host country. While that strict David Beckham as promoter, various media also added a few chapters in recent weeks to all the hefty reports about the (foreign) labor suffering in the emirate. A recent revelation came from, coincidentally, a Norwegian medium, who had WhatsApp conversations and a voicemail from the top of the World Cup organizing committee. It was about a workers’ strike, which the communications department had to say had nothing to do with the World Cup. “Make up a narrative, give it a twist,” the World Cup chief told his subordinates.
Earlier it became clear that many thousands of workers have died – probably succumbing to heat stress, although the numbers are always disputed.
The sporting storyline runs parallel to the narrative about the deceased labor migrants. The football itself. With players fighting for every meter on Tuesday. Frenkie de Jong with his classic hip feints, Depay who, in vain, lurks for a through ball. They would love to play at the World Cup soon. It remains the highest podium. Where FIFA bobos have put that down.
“Nice boys”, Virgil van Dijk shouted through the empty Kuip in Rotterdam
According to the national coach, their storyline should not become too entangled with the experiences of the men who built the World Cup stadiums. “I understand that we are leading the way and taking action. But because every time to ask players or the national coach, I think that goes very far,” said Van Gaal earlier.
His priorities were on the field. Where the Netherlands could not afford a misstep on Tuesday. A draw, that was allowed, after Saturday’s given lead at Montenegro (2-2). Don’t lose. That meant either very tough playoffs or nothing at all. The latter again depended on the match between Montenegro-Turkey, which was played simultaneously. In view of a possible blunder, it was better if the Turks did not win.
One dangerous shot from Horace Danjuma. That had been the main feat of arms of Orange. Furthermore, the players were especially good to hear. “Faster!” “No loss of the ball.” “Sit shorter.” “Win that second ball.” Ideal such an empty stadium, to prove that they do talk to each other. Saturday there had been quite a bit of noise on the lines between the players.
Van Gaal in a wheelchair
Van Gaal also has a well-functioning line. He is sitting in the doorway of a skybox at the center line, in his wheelchair. After breaking his hip on Sunday, he did not rule out just sitting in the dugout, but driving back and forth proved too much trouble. Now he can take the elevator to the dressing room, while during the game he regularly calls his assistant Henk Fraser to pass on messages. He has earplugs in. Van Gaal has his phone to his ear.
What he sees must worry him. The Netherlands has the ball, but apart from a nice percentage of possession, it yields nothing. It is tame football, dangerously shuffled back and forth with a ball that nobody really knows what to do with. While right-back Denzel Dumfries seems chained with an invisible line, as little as he dares to steam up, Depay really wants it. But smother his solos and shots.
As Turkey leads after an hour in Montenegro, the need for a goal increases. This means that the Netherlands can be ahead of a Norwegian final offensive. They now have to score a goal to stay in the race for the World Cup. If they score, then the Netherlands has nothing.
All those scenarios, nerve-wracking. Even in the smallest chances of the Norwegians now lurks the greatest danger.
That is precisely why the discharge after 85 minutes of playing must have been so great. There he was. Danjuma who puts the ball aside, Steven Bergwijn who shoots mercilessly hard. Overjoyed internationals, pounding beats in the Kuip. Finally, there is life in the stadium again. Especially when Depay scores 2-0 moments later. Then it’s done, and the World Cup a fact.
A version of this article also appeared in NRC in the morning of November 17, 2021
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