Not so brilliant Oranje

Notable among the footballers who flocked to praise Ireland’s supporters yesterday was Robin van Persie.

The target of strong criticism at home for his squandered chances in the Netherland’s opening game defeat by Denmark, van Persie knows well the restorative powers of unconditional support. Compare his relaxed approach to missing in an Arsenal shirt with the angst etched on his face when he is profligate in oranje.

Of course, supporter discontent and the now-clichéd infighting are only part of the reasons why the Dutch have been the tournament’s great disappointment. Simply, they are shockingly low on quality.

If John Giles shakes his head at our midfield, what must Cruyff, Neeskins and Resenbrink think when they see De Jong and van Bommel paired to form a defensive bulwark? And what manner of existential crisis must beset Ruud Krol as he watches young Jetro Willems wrestle with the very basics of defending and John Heitinga saunter blithely like a man who has never known danger.

Worst of all, has the land that brought us total football fielded a more disjointed, compartmentalised team in its recent history? It’s hard to hold out much hope for them tomorrow.