- SUN CITY, South Africa - Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk says the team's World Cup hopes hinge on his players overcoming a “mental block” after years of underachieving at major tournaments.
Van Marwijk says the Dutch don't know how to perform consistently at international finals despite sailing through qualifying for this year's tournament in South Africa by winning every game.
Van Marwijk says he has “tried over the last year and a half to drill a stronger self belief into the players.” The Netherlands hasn't won anything since the 1988 European Championship, and lost in the World Cup final in 1974 and 1978.
The Dutch will face Cameroon, Japan and Denmark at the World Cup in June after being drawn in Group E.