| Facts : |
| • |
Holland has taken part in the
FIFA World Cup qualifiers 14 times and has
won through to the finals on seven of those
occasions. Their heyday was without doubt
the 1970s. In 1974 and 1978 the Dutch reached
the FIFA World Cup final. |
| • |
In the Germany 1974 final they took an early
lead but eventually succumbed 2-1 to the hosts
Germany. Four years later the host nation
again stole glory from them. Argentina, gifted
with an outstanding performance by striker
Mario Kempes, won 3-1 in extra time. |
| • |
Since then the Dutch have waited in vain
for another chance to compete in the final.
Frequently among the favorites for the FIFA
World Cup, Holland have repeatedly failed
to live up to their promise. They came closest
in 1998, but after a thrilling semi-final
lost the penalty shoot-out against Brazil.
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