“We’ve always produced outstanding players, but for whatever reason, we’ve only once come up with a truly great team. And let’s not forget how small we are compared to the habitual winners, the Brazils, Italys, Germanys and even the Argentinas of this world. Looking at it from this perspective, our record of two runners-up finishes (1974 and 1978) and some semifinal appearances isn’t at all bad.” Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, defending the perceived Dutch legacy of disappointment, while the national team leads Europe’s Group 9 in World Cup qualifying with a 5-0-0 record and goal differential of 12-1.