Netherlands: an early favorite in tournament

World Today

Four years ago, The Netherlands made it all the way to the finals before losing to Spain.

Joel Richards is live in Rio De Janeiro looks at whether this year they can go the whole way.

The Netherlands has quickly become one of the most attractive teams to watch at this World Cup, with goals at both ends of the pitch all eyes are on manager Louis van Gaal’s team.

The Netherlands squad delivered one of the performances of the tournament with a 5-1 win over Spain. And although there were defensive errors against Australia, with Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, they have two of the stars of the competition.

Captain van Persie is suspended for the final group game against Chile on Monday-a match that will decide who wins Group B. But van Persie says that the Netherlands have already found the the vital ingredient.

Robin van Persie, Captain Netherlands World Cup Football Team says, “The main thing is to qualify for the next round, and the round after, and the round after that. And do well as a country. because as a country we got our belief back from the first game. That’s what matters, the belief wasn’t there before the world cup, and thats what makes me proud, we gave the belief back to the people.”

Having played in three world finals, Dutch supporters hope this can be their year but there are still reservations that the team can win this competition

The Netherlands faces Chile in its final group game without their captain, but having already qualified for the knock out stage, the team hopes to stay here in Rio right till the very end of the competition.

Netherlands: an early favorite in tournament

Four years ago, The Netherlands made it all the way to the finals before losing to Spain.

At stadiums all over Brazil there are people who are very concerned, and it has nothing to do with how the teams are playing on their field.

With hundreds of thousands of fans visiting for the World Cup, security is a major concern.

For more on that part of the World Cup story, Douglas Smith joins the show.

He is a former assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and currently executive vice president of MWW Public Affairs.

Douglas Smith discusses World Cup security

At stadiums all over Brazil there are people who are very concerned, and it has nothing to do with how the teams are playing on their field.