Rio de Janeiro: Arjen Robben has been enjoying a fine tournament here. The superb dribbler seems to be on a mission to make amends for missing two sitters in the final of the 2010 World Cup.
But the man who had set up those chances for Robben in South Africa has been the most influential Dutch player in the knockout rounds here in Brazil.
Wesley Sneijder, the inspirational midfielder of the Netherlands, is on course to emulate Andrea Pirlo and Andres Iniesta in the World Cup.
From being anonymous in the group stage to the team’s most prominent attacking threat in the knockout rounds, Sneijder’s transformation has been swift and stunning.
Long-time watchers of the midfielder wouldn’t be surprised, though. Sneijder has been one of the best in the business since coming through the ranks of Ajax.
If the Dutch are still in the hunt to end their trophy jinx in the World Cup, they owe a debt of gratitude to Sneijder’s last-gasp equaliser against Mexico in the Round of 16.
The raw strike was the epitome of power and precision.
Even though the Netherlands failed to score against Costa Rica in open play in the next round, it was Sneijder who came closest to breaking the deadlock twice.
The woodwork, which seemed to have been crafted in Costa Rica, denied him on both occasions.
He also set up a sharp chance which Robin van Persie missed.
Sneijder has what van Persie lacks in high-pressure situations: confidence.
The dynamic player also has a sense of occasion as he has scored five goals in the Netherlands’ six knockout matches at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
There is no need to break the head to find out the most impressive midfielder of the tournament so far as the Dutchman with a bald pate is well ahead of the pack.
The technically accomplished player would go down as one of the finest all-round players in the history of the game irrespective of the Netherlands’ ultimate result here.
