Holland inspired by Total Football tradition in bid to beat Brazil
Published:Following their 2-1 win against Slovakia, Holland have been slashed to 6/1 to win the World Cup as they march on to the quarter-finals.
Defensively sound and richly creative in midfield, coach Bert Van Marwijk has built a balanced side which seems capable of shedding the tag of great underachievers.
And if Holland are to finally lift the trophy which has eluded them for such a long and painful time, they will first have to overcome Brazil.
They are 3/1 to win the tie inside 90 minutes, while a victory in normal time for their glitteringly decorated South American opponents is available at evens.
The last time the Dutch beat Brazil was at the 1974 World Cup, when goals from Johan Neeskens and Johan Cruyff secured a famous 2-0 win for the architects of ‘Total Football’.
Of the current squad hoping to emulate such achievements, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie are the players who inspire most hope for supporters of the Oranje.
Van Persie is 6/1 to score first against Brazil, while Inter Milan playmaker Sneijder is 7/2 to add to his two World Cup goals at any point during the game.
When the teams met at the semi-final stage of the 1998 World Cup, Brazil won in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw, and the South Americans are 10/1 to win by the same means in South Africa.
Holland are 11/1 to exact their revenge by winning on penalties, while they are 14/1 to clinch victory in extra-time.
Do you think Holland can finally end their long wait? They are 6/1 to win the World Cup. See the full Tournament Winner market.
