Johny Heitinga, he and the Oranje disgraced themselves today vs Portugal
I have always been a fan of Dutch soccer. And after Brazil, there is no other country I want to see succeed as much as the Dutch. The first game I saw televised was the Netherlands vs Argentina finals in 1978. With the Dutch battling the likes of Mario Kempes, Daniel Passarella, and Leopold Luque. The Argentinian fans were not particularly hospitable and they pelted the field with everything that they had in hand. There was also incidents of mirrors being used to distract the Dutch players under the hot sun. They still came out to play some of the best soccer with players like Arie Haan, Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, Rob Rensenbrink, Ruud Krol, and Johny Rep in a losing effort.
Through the years I followed players like Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Ronald Koeman, Edgar Davids, Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and so many others. They all played attractive and free flowing soccer. And I kept thinking that this was the World Cup that they would finally put everything behind them and play to their level of talent. I could roll of names like Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, Robben, Van Der Saar, Ooijer, and even the names of subs like Landzaat and Hedwiges Maduro just like I could with the 1978 squad.
Today, Johny Heitinga spoiled the game with the cheesiest display of unsporting behavior by not giving the ball back to the Portugese when one of their players lay injured on the field. The referee stopped play and the player was being tended to. When play was restarted Heitinga, instead of booting the ball out and giving it back to the Portugese, decided to play on and take the ball to the Portugese goal. Deco brought him down. In the process earning his second yellow and getting sent off. Deco was properly incensed by Heitinga’s behavior. He had been thrown to the ground a few minutes before by Philip Cocu after picking up the ball in an effort to get his team back to defend itself.
This Dutch team disgraced themselves and the beautiful game.
5 comments on “The Netherlands: The legendary 1974, 1978 squads are a dream”
I have to disagree strongly, I thought Heitinga had every right to keep hold of the ball. Ricardo did not “lay injured” on the field, he lay playacting first to try and get Dirk Kuyt booked, and then to timewaste.
It was up to the referee to state that the ball should have been given back to Portugal, as this was not clear at all.
As for Deco earning his second yellow, for such a cynical, petulant and professional foul he deserved a straight red card, whatever the circumstances. If Heitinga had a broken leg from the challenge I would think your blurb would read rather differently.
I would say Luis Figo and the Portugal team disgraced the game, how could you class not giving the ball back after a player is ‘injured’ as less sporting than headbutting someone in the face?
Regards, An extremely disappointed reader of the blog.
Sternip,
This was an ill tempered match on both sides and the referee just let it get out of control. But given the fact that in all the other matches, when a player was down, the opposing team would boot the ball out and give it back. Heitinga’s action was in sharp contrast. Figo’s headbutt was missed but he was smart about it, the TV cameras picked up on it but the referee did not. Portugal played a much smarter game. I am very disappointed that Netherlands did not go through.
Let’s not forget the disgraceful officiating during this match. The Russian official COMPLETELY lost control of this match. Unacceptable. A fight almost broke out on a number of occasions.
As for the teams, neither displayed anything remotely close to sportsmanship. They should both be ashamed of their play. The only redeeming quality of the match was the superb goal.
I have to agree with Zach, both teams were disgraceful, which is why I take issue with your article that mentions nothing of the Portugese players antics and portrays the dutch as the sole offenders.
I agree with Shourin. I supported Portugal not because I’m a Portugese, but because of their display of superior soccer in this world cup. The misbehavior of Holland was too much to bear with today – the foul against Ronaldo was a straight red card. We, soccer fans thrive on players like Ronaldo, and defenders putting boots on the thigh making him bleed should be kept out of any team. And then really poor show by Heitinga, what was that ? Heitinga please be civilized before you come back in the next world cup. Figo took advantage of the soft touch of the elbow, and I guess he was angry becuase of the foul against Ronaldo. The most unlucky player was Deco who was just the victim of poor refereeing. The “total football” of Holland is a thing of past, instead they relied on the individual efforts of Robben and Percey, I would not go for this Holland producing something far from beautiful football. Finally, go Portugal go….throw away England into the mighty Rein river.