Netherlands (National Football)

Robin van Persie is set to miss the Netherlands' Wednesday international friendly against Mexico at Ajax's Amsterdam Arena with a hamstring issue.

Dutch football writer Stefan Coerts reported the news on Tuesday:

However, The Guardian's Jamie Jackson suggests the Manchester United striker will be available for the Oranje come Sunday, when they face Latvia in a vital Euro 2016 qualifier:

This is a big boost for the Dutch. They will need their best team against the Latvians as they attempt to rectify a poor start to their qualifying campaign.

Recently installed head coach Guus Hiddink has overseen losses to Iceland and the Czech Republic and a win over Kazakhstan, which sees them third and six points off the top two in Group A.  

Hiddink has hinted he may resign if the Dutch do not beat Latvia, per Coerts on Goal.com, and Van Persie's presence could be vital.

"If we lose the match against Latvia, I will draw my conclusion from it," he said. "It's not something I have talked about with the players. I don't think a draw will be good enough either. Will Netherlands qualify? Yes." 

It is likely that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar will take the starting striker role in Van Persie's place on Wednesday against a Mexico side who will be looking to avenge their World Cup last-16 loss to the Dutch in the summer.

Van Persie's reportedly short-term injury will come as good news to United also. With Radamel Falcao having continued fitness issues, Louis van Gaal could do without further absentees when the international break is done.

The 31-year-old has not been at his best this season for the Red Devils, per the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst, but he proved with his late equaliser last month against Chelsea that he still has the ability to make a significant impact:

Indeed, recent reports suggest he is set to be offered a new two-year extension on his current contract, which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2018, per Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star. 

This could well be a galvanising factor for the Dutchman and he will be eager to return to his best form for both the Netherlands and United when he returns from injury.

Both sides would benefit hugely from an in-form Van Persie, as he is one of the world's top goalscorers when at his best. 

Netherlands are one of the most iconic nations around when it comes to international football tournaments: blazing orange shirts, raucous fans and a litany of top-class players who have graced pitches around the globe—not to mention a thousand near-miss stories in trying to grasp glory.

The recent 2014 FIFA World Cup was almost no different, other than the fact that Netherlands went into the finals with perhaps the lowest expectancy ever surrounding them, and this time they went as far as finishing third place.

Since then, though, it has been one backward step after another, leaving new head coach Guus Hiddink with plenty of work to do to save face and rescue the team's Euro 2016 qualification hopes.

Dutch media are very critical of Hiddink this morning. Ronald de Boer has even said Hiddink's vision is 'outdated'.

— Elko Born (@Elko_B) October 14, 2014

Post-World Cup Positivity

A new crop of talented, if not top-quality, young players, a flexible tactical approach and goals galore: All was well with the Dutch national side after their third-place finish at the World Cup. Having been losing finalists in 2010 as well, this two-tournament run is their best showing since being back-to-back runners-up in the '74 and '78 World Cups.

Hiddink took over from Louis van Gaal, though, and since then it has been three defeats in four.

A defeat to Italy in Hiddink's first match in charge was settled inside 10 minutes; two goals down in that time, Netherlands had also had Bruno Martins Indi sent off inside that period. They didn't recover and couldn't challenge Italy technically or physically to get back in the match—but it was only a friendly.

The first Euro 2016 qualifier, however, was not—and Czech Republic beat Netherlands too. A comeback win at home to Kazakhstan hardly inspired confidence last week, but the big shock must have been the defeat to Iceland on Monday night. It leaves Netherlands third after three games, already six points behind both Iceland and Czech Republic in a group the Dutch were expected to walk.

The Netherlands lost 2 - 0 to Iceland last night, and these stats do not make good reading for Guus Hiddink. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/GHQ5jOykBK

— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) October 14, 2014

Lack of Attack?

In the World Cup itself, Netherlands put five goals past Spain as their rocket really took off (and Spain's died at the same time). Seven more goals followed in the groups and knock-out games, before three more against Brazil in the third-place playoff—15 goals scored in total, in seven matches.

Since then, Netherlands have drawn blanks against Italy and Iceland, and only managed three in the last 25 minutes of the game against Kazakhstan, saving themselves from huge embarrassment.

Aside from the treble in that match over lowly opposition, the only goal of the Hiddink reign so far is a Stefan de Vrij header off a set piece against Czech Republic. Even against the Kazakhs, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's goal was offside, not given, Ibrahim Afellay's was heavily deflected and Robin van Persie's was a disputed penalty.

Unconvincing all around.

Meanwhile, defensive errors from the likes of Martins Indi and Daryl Janmaat have cost dearly.

Qualifying Campaign Ahead

With still seven matches to play in Group A, all is far from lost for Netherlands. The top two go through automatically, with third place getting a play-off spot at worst.

Even so, it appears time is becoming short for Hiddink after an awful start to his spell in charge.

Dutch FA secretary-general Bert van Oostveen will evaluate current proceedings as soon as possible with Hiddink and staff. (via @TPOnl)

— Michiel Jongsma (@JongsmaJongsma) October 14, 2014

Hiddink's days might be numbered - KNVB's Van Oostveen:'We'll evaluate quicker than usual and will also be more critical and sharper.'(NOS)

— Michiel Jongsma (@JongsmaJongsma) October 14, 2014

It is unfathomable that they could go through much of the rest of the qualifying group without beating smaller sides—they face Latvia at home in November, with Turkey also to play twice—than themselves. It is also extremely likely that, as good as they have been at the start of the campaign, both Iceland and Czech Republic will drop points here and there.

Hiddink didn't have to do a rip-up-start-again job coming into the job; far from it.

What he has managed so far though is to oversee the complete disintegration of the tactical discipline and attacking swagger that the side accumulated through the World Cup. They need to get plenty of that back not only to qualify for Euro 2016 over the next 14 months, but also to make another big impact on a major tournament.

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After coming agonisingly close to World Cup qualification, Iceland are in the kind of form that should ensure progress to the finals of Euro 2016.

Hosting the Netherlands in Reykjavik on Monday, the Nordic side got off to a dream start when Stefan de Vrij  conceded a 10th-minute penalty, which Gylfi Sigurdsson converted.

The Dutch had several chances to equalise, but four minutes before the break, they were stunned when Iceland doubled the advantage. 

A corner fell to Kolbein Sigthorsson, whose deflected effort then trickled to Sigurdsson and he rifled the ball into the roof of the net. 

After his superb goal at the weekend against Latvia, it's certainly shaping up to be a memorable campaign for the Swansea midfielder.

Holland put plenty of pressure on the Icelandic defence in the second half, but they were ultimately unable to recover from their poor performance in the first 45.

Iceland had several chances to increase their lead, but finished with a 2-0 victory, marking their first ever win over the Netherlands in 11 attempts. 

Iceland now top qualification group A, while Holland are languishing in third place with three points from three games.

Having survived a scare against lowly Kazakhstan on Friday, the Netherlands are back in Euro 2016 Qualifying action on Monday, as they take on Iceland.

The Dutch haven’t looked convincing on their road to France so far, going down to the Czech Republic in Matchweek 1 before needing three late goals to beat the Kazakhs 3-1, so they’ll need a big improvement if they’re to dispatch the in-form Iceland in their own back garden.

Guus Hiddink will be expecting a big step up from his new side, too, and while matches against opposition like Iceland were all but won before they even started under Louis van Gaal, it’s very much game on in Reykjavik.

Date: Monday, October 13

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m.

Venue: Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik

TV Info: Sky Sports 1/Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: Sky Go/Fox Sports Go

Netherlands in for Tough Encounter

While the Netherlands’ form has been a little, let’s say, sketchy of late, Iceland couldn’t possibly have started their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in better fashion.

An opening 3-0 victory at home to Turkey was followed by an identical win in Latvia on Monday evening, and they deservedly sit top of Group A.

It’s staying there that’ll be the tricky part for joint managers Heimir Hallgrimsson and Lars Lagerback, but form goes a long way in international football.

As SoccerWay’s statistics reveal, Iceland have lost just one of their last seven internationals at Laugardalsvollur, winning five matches in that time.

Keeping five clean sheets during that run will do nothing but enhance Icelandic confidence, so it’s clear that the Dutch have a real fight on their hands. However, with a squad oozing world-class talent, no mountain is ever too high for the Netherlands.

Hiddink deployed the 4-3-3 formation against Kazakhstan after the successful 5-3-2 from the 2014 World Cup didn’t work against the Czechs, and the difference was clear to see.

Opposition considered, sure, but the Dutch kept the ball impressively for the duration of the match, as their shock goal aside, Kazakhstan didn’t really get a sniff.

It was just breaking the Kazakhs down that proved illusive for the Dutch at times, but Hiddink said after the match that not panicking is the key behind success against sides with their backs against the wall—per the Daily Mail:

"After the opening goal they lined up in a (wall-like) defence. Then it is up to you to break through by executing a high-speed passing game, but that didn't always work. It is important not to panic. If you keep playing like that the goals will come sooner or later."

The goals came from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Ibrahim Afellay and Robin van Persie, but for large spells it looked like being one of those nights for the Dutch.

Luckily, then, Iceland will be hunting goals in their capital, which will free up space in the middle of the park for the likes of Arjen Robben to operate. And if there’s one thing you can guarantee from the Dutch in a European Championship qualifier, it’s goals—per OptaJohan:

It’s all set to be one of those games whereby the first goal is crucial, and much of that will depend on how Hiddink sets his side out.

If he sets his side out for all-out attack, then that could play into Icelandic hands, but should he adopt his normal, controlled policy, then it could be a fruitful day at the office for the Netherlands.

Prediction: Iceland 1-2 Netherlands

In the opening movement of their Euro 2016 qualifier with Holland, Kazakhstan barely ventured into the Dutch half and enjoyed only a slither of the possession, but somehow they took the lead!

The Kazakhstanis won a corner in the 17th minute, which Renat Abdulin was able to put into the net via the crossbar with a darting header.

Kazakhstan held the lead all the way until the 61st minute, when Klaas Jan Huntelaar beat goalkeeper Alexandr Mokin with a header from an Ibrahim Afellay cross.

Moments after the goal, Kazakhstan went down to 10 men when Baurzhan Dzholchiev tackled Afellay from behind in rather ugly fashion. 

In search of the elusive second goal, Arjen Robben lined up a free kick on the edge of the area. The powerful curling shot ended up rattling the woodwork.

In the 82nd minute, the Dutch finally took the lead through Afellay. When a Robben cross was headed away, it fell to the feet of the Olympiakos midfielder, whose left-footed shot found the back of the net via a deflection.  

In the 89th minute, Robin Van Persie put the game out of reach from the penalty spot, after he was brought down in the area.

Earlier in the game, Van Persie came under criticism from Huntelaar for failing to pass him the ball. The pair appeared to have a few words for one another afterwards.

The match finished 3-1 to the Dutch, but the Kazakhstanis certainly made them work hard for the three points.

The Netherlands take on Kazakhstan in Group A of Euro 2016 qualification keen to rebound from the 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic in their opening game.

Midfielder Vaclav Pilar bagged an injury-time winner in Prague to sink the third-placed team from the 2014 FIFA World Cup. It was hardly an ideal introduction to competitive action for new Netherlands coach Guus Hiddink.

Before a preview, here's all of the relevant schedule and viewing information:

Date: Friday, Oct. 10, 2014

Time: 7:45 p.m. BST / 2:45 p.m. ET

TV: Sky Sports 2 / Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: Sky Go. Fox Soccer 2Go.

Preview

Hiddink's immediate challenge is to resolve the issue of formation. Against the Czech Republic, the experienced boss stayed with the 3-5-2 that predecessor and current Manchester United chief Louis van Gaal had favoured in Brazil.

However, Hiddink's players are apparently keen on a return to the familiar confines of 4-3-3. The ex-Chelsea and PSV Eindhoven gaffer is ready to oblige, according to Ondrej Zlamal & Vojtech Raiman of UEFA.com:

Although I have often played a 4-3-3, I have also said that we can always change it depending on our opponents. The goals were scored after our mistakes on the right side of the pitch, where we twice lost the ball. Our loss was not down to the formation but due to individual mistakes. After the first goal we reorganised our formation to 4-3-3, but at the end it was a really unlucky defeat for us. It is very difficult to consider your tactical formation if your defenders make such mistakes.

The 4-3-3- certainly seems the best way to get the most from top stars such as striker Robin van Persie and wing wizard Arjen Robben. But one player who won't reap the benefits of the proposed tactical switch is ageing forward Dirk Kuyt.

He's retired from international duty, and Hiddink believes the move back to 4-3-3 played a role in the one-time Liverpool star's decision, according to Goal.com writer Peter Hanson:

I wanted to give him a call-up, but we spoke on the phone and he said that he would retire from international football. Since we're playing 4-3-3 again, he's not in the picture for the defensive roles. For the attacking positions there are other players who have an advantage on him. Kuyt didn't want to be the third or fourth in line, so that also had influence on his decision.

Two players to watch in the new formation could be youthful Eredivisie duo Jordy Clasie and Davy Klaassen. The former is a deep-lying pass master for Feyenoord, with the vision and patience to unlock any defence.

Meanwhile, the latter plays a more advanced role for bitter rivals Ajax and has been compared to legendary Dutch schemer Dennis Bergkamp, per Gordon Tynan of The Independent.

Sooner, rather than later, Hiddink is going to have to refresh a midfield still populated by veterans such as Nigel de Jong and Ibrahim Afellay. Clasie and Klaassen will be key figures in that process.

This is the first of consecutive qualifiers for the Dutch, the second being an away trip to take on Iceland. It's double duty the Netherlands will be expected to pass with flying colours.

Predicted Final Score: Netherlands 4-0 Kazakhstan

The change in formation will work wonders for Hiddink's more balanced squad, resulting in a goal fest and a major boost to the qualification campaign.