Orange march gets rhythm

On Friday night, even as the Netherlands' under-21s were sweeping to victory in their match with Estonia, the look of fear on the faces of the Dutch officials involved was pronounced. High above the far-from-complete Lillekula Stadium, cranes lurched across the lumpy playing surface. Twenty-four hours later Dutch concern was equally sincere: were their qualification hopes about to be flattened from a very great height?

Ultimately, as much through luck as judgement, they were not, but once again the tendency for Dutch self-flagellation had been revealed during this campaign.

Nine and a half weeks ago, with seven minutes left in their huge qualifier in Porto, Holland were leading 2-0 and on their way to a win that would alter Group Two, perhaps permanently. In the process, they hoped, the result would erase many of the bad Dutch memories of that disastrous penalty shoot-out against Italy in Amsterdam last July.

Then, in the 83rd minute, came a late Portuguese reply. In injury time came a Portugal equaliser, a penalty from Luis Figo. Afterwards, as Louis Van Gaal sat looking grumpier than normal, he was asked who were the Group favourites now. "Portugal," he replied. One word and then a very fierce stare.

On Saturday night in sunny Tallinn, with seven minutes remaining, Van Gaal was staring again. This time it was at potentially the most momentous embarrassment in Holland's football history. Estonia, essentially FC Flora Tallinn - eight starters and nine finishers were from the local club - were leading 2-1 and did not appear overly burdened by what would have been the greatest result in their history.

Could Van Gaal have survived had Andres Oper taken either of his two opportunities then? We will never know. Oper missed and in the seven minutes left the Netherlands scored three. In a sense they had made up for Porto.

When he ascended to the concrete edifice that doubled as an open-air press conference room, even Van Gaal could suppress his anger such was his relief. Smiling, he said: "We were lucky to win this game.

"It all went as I predicted. It is always very difficult to play against a defensive team that is very well organised. Estonia also play the long ball very well to the two up front. They used their speed well.

"But we dominated the match for 85 minutes and when we went behind in the final 20 minutes we showed great commitment."

Then, the three issues of Tallinn arose: Lillekula Stadium; Edgar Davids; group favouritism.

The Lillekula pitch - best described as municipal - will have the Irish players thinking of that training ground in Bursa. It did not suit Marc Overmars, even if the flanks are better than the agricultural strip down the middle. A good first touch is essential on such a surface and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was exposed by that requirement. "I wasn't disappointed by the performance as a whole," Van Gaal said, "more by a lack of individual sharpness."

Did the pitch affect Holland's rhythm? "Yes, of course it did." But Van Gaal did not blame it.

After Friday's scare did he think the stadium unsafe? "No, I saw that there were security people in the stands."

An indication of the excitement generated by the match was that the Davids question was asked belatedly. Was his nandrolone-enforced absence telling? "That influenced the team, but not the attitude. Edgar has shown great attitude while here."

There was no mention of Frank de Boer, but this could have been the last game of a great player's career. What is certain is that FIFA's probable ban will leave the 31 year-old questioning his future. His Barcelona contract expires next June.

As for the situation in Group Two, Van Gaal said: "The draw in Dublin was a bad result for us. It would have been better that someone had won. It would have been better if Ireland had won because then we could have won the group if we win in Dublin. As it is now . . ."

Portugal?

"Yes."

So much effort. So little change.