How do you think Holland will do in the World Cup 2006?  Do you think that they could win?
465324
Can they win?  Yes, they can.  (31 other teams can also say that, though in reality maybe 8 have any reasonable chance).\n\nDo they have what it takes?  you need to look at them back to front.  They have an adequate keeper in van der Saar.  They have some good young defenders, and as I recall at least one or two good veterans.  their midfield should be very good, with Davids, seerdorf, Van der Vaart, Robben, and the like.  And up front, they have at least 3 world class strikers (Ruud for one, and I temporarily forget the other guy).\n\nAnd the coach has been there, and can relate to players - something that can never be underestimated.\n\nNow their group has Serbia, Argentina and Ivory Coast.  Should they make it out of the group - yes.\n\nBrazil is in the opposite set of groups for at least until the semi-finals, so they won't run into them until then.\n\nWith the exception of Germany, they should have among the highest percentages of 'home fans', so the crowd should be behind them.\n\nCut loose any surprises, and you are left with Holland, Portugal, Spain, Czech Rep., Italy, England, Germany and Brazil as the 'favorites'.  Others who could sneak into there would be the US, Argentina or the Ukraine.\n\nBeing that the matches are in Europe, the South American teams likely will not get the bounce they enjoy nearly anywhere else (in all the 'cups', only Brazil has ever won in Europe).\n\nFigure Spain and Portugal to have some kind of minor collapse (sorry, but it just happens too often not the expect it to magically not happen again), and the numbers whittle down.\n\nEngland have a strong group, but will their stars perform and play together?  With Sven on the way out, I'm thinking they may go a ways, but not to the last.\n\nSo really, I think Brazil, Germany, Italy and Holland will be in the mix for the big prize.  Brazil will have to deal with the foreign soil aspect, and that could go either way (look at France 98).  Home court is a huge advantave, and I expect Germany will make the semi's at least.  Italy will always be tough, but, if they can't score, they can't win.\n\nAnd Holland, traditionally, can score.\n\nWould I pick them in a pool to win it all.  Probably not.  But, can they do it, yes.  I would say they have a decent chance at it, perhaps not as strong a favorite as Germany or Brazil, but definitely they will be in the mix.  It will all depend on their ability to deal with physical teams as they play their fluid passing games.\n\nA couple good bounces, and they could be in the final.  And if its oppsite germany, that could be a very interesting game.  Though, I'd rather see Holland play Brazil, as the flair and passing would cause my TV to melt!\n\n(go yanks!!)
1059907
They are off to a good start, and if they manage to beat Croatia there is no reason why they can’t beat Italy-(not to sure about Czech they look to be a good bet to reach the finals). In the knock out stages if they can stay fit, avoid yellow and red cards they should beat France and make it to the Semis where Germany will bring this Fairy tale to an end. But what a journey it has been !!!!\nAussie, Aussie, Aussie !!!!
1031968
They're a good team. Too bad they have to faced Argentina & Netherlands in their first two match.
1036313
Netherlands are a good and capable side but they struggled today to control their opposition. Argentina know how to perform under pressure and indicates with their crushing win V's Serbia that they are ready to perform. They know about the business end of the WC and I'm fairly certain they they will overcome the Netherlands on form shown thus far.
1175508
I really do think that instead of Holland being able to control the Argentinian attacks, it was more that Argentina themselves did not really put much effort in their attacks.\n\nThe Argentinians are playing at will and controling the matches as if teams will score against them only if the Argentinians let them do it for fun!!\n\nAnd the defending stuff will only make Argentina even more attack-minded and my God, you are going to suffer if you just defend and wait to counter-attack.\n\nAm a die-hard fan of England but truly dude, Argentina are just too good this year. BUT you never know, football is football and perhaps even Ghana or lacklustre England could win the World Cup
1049795
World Cup's not over yet.. So far Ricardo from Portugal has shown great performance. esp. last nite againt Dutch.
1081005
This will be a difficult tie between the two countries, I predict a Dutch win as I believe they have the team to win the w/c if they stay focuses for the whole game. Score 2-1 to the Dutch
1062756
Nice goal....but luck can only take you so far in the World Cup....and they'll need more than luck once Portugal gets rid of the Netherlands
1005417
Doesn't look good for my team (US), so I'd be glad to see the Netherlands (my favorite European team) win.   They didn't look great in their first game, but I'm still picking them to beat Argentina.  HUP HOLLAND!!!
1092261
Was that a question or an answer to your own question.\nHow do you think Brazil is losing to England in the semis, even if Eng do manage to dft Portugal?\nWell, if you consult history WC all WC winners are the ones having a not that good start in the group stages. So if France beats Brazil on Saturday, then they will win the WC.\nBut I agree with you that Germany and Portugal are consistent. Well Brazil are getting back in form. Holland no longer exists in WC'06 and Arg won 6-0 over Serbia-Mont. Neither does Spain exists in WC'06, but I don't expect Ukr to win, in any way.\nEngland need to find form to get rolling.\nIt is tought to predict WC winners, but yes, GER and POR are really consistent.\nHey, wait a moment. Didn't GER get an injury/additional time goal to dft POL 1-0 in their second match of group stage! I won't call that consistency, coz then BRA are more consistent!\nAny way, I liked the discussion.
1112143
I don't think they will lose today. The are more experienced than Ecuador. And it will be nice to see a game England vs Brazil, but in the next phase they'll meet either Portugal or Netherlands.
1154366
I'll have to say yes and no to your predictions. Yes to Argentina squeezing through but no to Holland failing to qualify for the second round.\n\nArgentina plays fantastically, I don't dispute that. Everyone knows how strong they are in all departments: Messi, Crespo, Saviola, Rodriguez, Cambiasso, Riquelme, Sorin, Zanetti, Ayala, Placente, Heinze, blah blah.\n\nAs for Holland, I'm tired of people slamming van Basten for making wild guesses and including untested players, or those lamenting that they're suffering from an injury crisis. I want to reiterate once and for all that this is absolutely UNTRUE, the opinion of those who have zero insight into the Dutch team.\n\nI don't think it's fair to say van Basten is picking the wrong players. Yes, he's kicked out Seedorf and Davids and Kluivert, but don't you all realise that these guys have been the big problem cases for far too long already? They've got massive egos and have caused the Dutch team to end up squabbling for far too many major tournaments. Don't you all recall Euro 96, when Davids and the coach had a huge argument?\n\nIt's great that they're now out cos Holland is now surprisingly united and play great team football. As for why he excluded Jaap Stam and Frank de Boer, I guess it's cos of their age. Mathijsen and Boulahrouz have coped well in central defence in place of the two old defenders. They went something like 10 games without conceding a goal.\n\nI know players like Kuyt and Mathijsen etc. are not well-known names, but it's youth that Holland needs. Too long the team has relied on the age and experience of older players, and it's about time the team gets a new injection of life. Still, there's the tested players, like van der Vaart, van Nistelrooy, Cocu, van Bronckhorst, van Bommel, Robben etc., so it's quite a fair mix.\n\nAs for injuries, the one and ONLY concern is playmaker van der Vaart, so stop saying there's nagging injury problems.\n\nvan Basten has picked his team well, and for that I have confidence that they'll top the group and reach the semis at the least. \n\nIt's about time the Dutch won the cup. Just you watch out ;)
302051
Not necessarily. In the World Cup, the only teams who will be thinking about that will be the actual contenders like Brazil, Germany, and England, but all other teams will most likely go on attack quite frequently because they really don't have much to loose. Think of a country like Holland: They have great striking power (Van Nistelrooy) and have almost no chance of actually winning. So, why should they not give it everything they have and just try to not make mistakes, rather than not make mistakes and just try to not lose.
719786
Current top contenders are Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Italy. Holland could produce surprise in the tournament. However, if Wayne Rooney becomes match fit to play, England should be considered as a top contender too.\n\nAny of the above countries could win the world cup 2006.   \n\nScots has nothing to do in this world cup. they didn't qualify.
1137353
I think Holland will beat Argentina.  Sweden's the only one in group b  that should have a chance to beat England.  Brazil should be able to win their group with their 2nd team.
325708
Brazil (or no American team, for that mater) has NEVER won the world cup on European soil, NEVER EVER!!!\n\nSo I have to say that they will not win the WC2006, eventhough they are PRESENTLY the best team (on paper) in the world, but in single elimination rounds the best team doesn't always WIN!!!!
1183788
I have to disagree, the Mexican Team does not have what it takes (technique, mental game) to compete with Argentina. \n\nPortugal may give a surprise to Holland, but my best guess is that Argentina and Holland will cruise to the next stage.