All of Africa joined hands to support the Netherlands against Uruguay at Green Point Stadium, Cape Town. South Africans were the most vociferous. In addition to their huge army of orange-clad supporters, the Netherlands had the backing of the home continent.
A South African fan put this solidarity into perspective. “Uruguay spoiled Bafana Bafana’s chances of advancing to the next round by beating them 3-0 in a Group A match. It was a fair result because we were atrocious on that day. The South Americans then went on to oust Ghana thanks to Luis Suarez’s blatant handball on the goal-line. His desperate act has angered the entire continent. I decided at that moment that I would support whoever takes on Uruguay,” he explained.
If the Netherlands fail to win their maiden World Cup title on Sunday, a team that many pundits had singled out for humiliation in South Africa will earn the distinction of an unbeaten record. New Zealand drew all their matches and finished ahead of world champions Italy in Group F. Not bad for a country which had only 25 professionals to choose their World Cup squad from. The Dutch are still with a chance to nail the title with an all-win record after they edged Uruguay in the semi-final on Tuesday.
Jereme White is a dare-devil, literally. The professional stunt driver drove us to Cape of Good Hope, a major tourist attraction on the outskirts of Cape Town, in his robust car. “I have a fancy name — precision driver,” the man with a sparkle in his eyes said. “I have done stunts for a number of Hollywood and Bollywood movies. I love your heroines; they are beautiful. The only thing that I can’t comprehend about Indians is their ability to eat curries without crying. I’ve failed miserably in my attempts,” he added.
The vuvuzelas are a rage at all football stadiums in South Africa. But they are not welcome in upmarket malls. At Sandton City, a landmark place for shopaholics at the heart of Johannesburg, signs are everywhere warning visitors not to blow the plastic trumpet. But, the instrument that symbolises football in South Africa figures prominently in almost all shops for sales. Some prospective buyers annoy the shop owners by testing the vuvuzela with all the energy they can muster.
What is the secret behind the Dutch run at the World Cup? The notoriously individualistic Dutch players have not only put up a united front here, they have also reached the final after 32 years. The decision of Bert van Marwijk, the Netherlands coach, in taking his charges to Robben Island has apparently united the team.
Dirk Kuyt isn’t a superstar in the mould of Cristiano Ronaldo. He is not even a star in the Dutch team. But those who watch the EPL regularly might know what a workhorse Kuyt is. He is technically a forward but he never sticks to his position. At 11,174 metres, the forward had covered the maximum distance for the Dutch.
— T.N. Raghu