OUR old friends Holland may be about to reveal something important at Villa Park tonight to Euro `96 as a whole, to their Swiss opponents and, as ever with the mercurial Dutch, especially to themselves. Just how good are they?
The scoreless opener with Scotland was more strong than might have been expected, but still didn't eradicate the doubts surrounding the Dutch which have emerged since qualification at Anfield The jury is still out and only a win over the honest, organised, reasonably skillful, if moderate, Swiss will ensure an interim positive verdict.
Another draw would not be the end of the world, or even their Euro `96 campaign, but it would revive memories of the so called Group of Death in Italia `90 draws galore and two group rivals from these islands again. Then, as now, it would also probably precipitate an unfulfilling, anti-climactic campaign.
The return of their puppet master, the laid back Danny Blind, from suspension, should increase their creativity from the back. "We played too much with our heart, but didn't use our brains," coach Guus Hiddink commented curiously.
Hiddink's contention that "with Blind we will have the experience to bring calm to our play," ought to prove correct. However, other potentially more significant problems remain. Without Frank de Boer, Edgar Davids plays deeper and the midfield diamond is a little off key. More damaging still, unless Hiddink can, bring Patrick Kluiyert back to full sharpness (difficult after playing Just over 100 minutes in the last eight weeks), is that Bergkamp must continue to play as the lone striker.
As was demonstrated against the Republic, of Ireland, Bergkamp is more effective playing Just behind the striker as the apex of the diamond. Hiddink is expected to recall fit again left winger Peter Hoekstra, with Jordi Cruyff switching flanks at the expense of Gaston Taument. But the impression remains in the absence of the injured Marc Overmars and the unwanted Brian Roy that Hiddink is merely shuffling around three unconvincing wingers.
Tonight will tell. The Dutch still have better players and more all round technical ability and flair than the Swiss. But Artur Jorge's upbeat side have drawn inspiration from their draw at Wembley, and Scottish bravery.
Everton's Marc Hottiger returns from suspension for Switzerland at the expense of young, Sebastien Jeannart. Hottiger, who ought to diminish further Holland's greater attacking width, said. "The way the Scots defended was very encouraging for us. The Dutch may be the most technically gifted team in the tournament but if we can stop the early attacks, like Scotland did, we have the chance to do the same as we did against England."
Jorge insisted on taking his entire squad to Villa, Park for the Holland Scotland game and said yesterday. "Overall they (Holland) are very good indeed but even very good teams have bad days. That's why you should always be hopeful of results, in a tournament like this."
Draws galore in Group A is feasible according to Jorge. "You can never write off one team against another at this level. The results have already proved how close things are and I think there may be many more close games to come.
Another bright start, this time rewarded with a breakthrough, ought to ensure a significant Dutch win. If not, then another draw or a hard earned one goal win for Hiddink's men seem the likelier outcomes. And therein lies a world of a difference.
