For the Dutch team, World Cup is usually a tale of getting agonisingly close and then, losing.
Heartbreaks, the orange camps have seen quite a few times, notably, back to back in 1974 and 1978.
In the 70s, the Dutch team, feared and revered for their total football style, spearheaded by Johan Cruyff, played some outstanding football.
That was the period when the European club scene was dominated by Dutch sides Feyenoord and Ajax.
So much was the following of Ajax that in Bangladesh, a sports club was named after it.
The local Ajax, located in Elephant Road, is still present although it’s no longer a key participant of sporting events.
Anyway, the Dutch and the World Cup is a tale of unfulfilled wishes and with those past disappointments hovering overhead, the orange of The Netherlands will take on Morocco, the Lions of Atlas.
This is supposed to be another mouthwatering encounter at the knock-out stage.
The Dutch had superb teams in the past, especially in the late 80s, with flamboyant players like, Ruud Gullit, Van Basten.
They won the European Cup in 1988 but in the 1990 World Cup, were beaten at the knock-out stage by eventual champions Germany.
In 2010, the anguish deepened as the team lost in the final to Spain.
Having Morocco as an opponent is certainly a challenge.
At least in 2026!
Just to jog your memory, at the 2018 World Cup, Morocco were beaten by Iran and Portugal.
However, they came back with all guns blazing in 2022 where they beat Belgium, Spain, Portugal to finally bow out after losing to France in the semi-final.
Morocco is not only an North African powerhouse but currently stands among the top ten teams – a phenomenal achievement indeed.
Morocco faced The Netherlands at the 1994 World Cup, where they lost 2-1 although that is 32 years ago.
The current Moroccan side rattled the Brazilians in their opening group match and have shown purpose in their other games.
For a team which reached the semis last time, bowing out at the round of 32 is certainly not an option.
Hakimi, Saibari, Yassin are the predators that the Dutch would want to contain.
An interesting fact is that in 2021, Moroccan U-23 midfielder, Adil Kouskous left his Omani club to play for Bangladesh Police FC.
He now plays for RB Keflavik in Iceland.
So, it’s Europe against North Africa and whether you bet for the lions or the ‘Clockwork Orange’, this promises to be a fierce clash.
Penalties?
Ummmm, perhaps!
