How to Lose a World Cup

Being a sore loser, Yours Truly simply can't hide his frustration as to the way the Netherlands lost in the World Cup final.

If there is anything to blame, that should start, and probably end, with their coach Bert Van Marwijk, for the mind-boggling decisions he made.

1. Taking Dirk Kuyt Off the Field

Anyone with a normal state of mind could see that Kuyt was probably one of the, if not THE, hardest-working and efficient player in the tournament. If Yours Truly had his way, he should be on the field FOREVER. If he lost possession near the opposing team's corner flag, you would find him charging down the field to help his defense deep in his own team's corner flag. Such peskiness has made him a crowd favourite and a nightmare for the opposing team. So when Kuyt was substituted in the second half, it was such a reprieve for Spain as they finally got rid of the one player they didn't want to see on the field.

2. Taking Giovanni Van Bronckhorst Off the Field

If you thought Van Marwijk would not make a wrong substitution twice, think again. Despite his ripe old age, Van Bronckhorst proved to be their best defender in the match. If not for his repeated interventions, the Dutch would have fallen behind much earlier. And despite him having received a yellow card, Yours Truly would say that with his experience and composure, of all the Dutch players with a yellow card, he would be the least likely to receive a second one. Instead, Van Marwijk kept time-bombs such as John Heitinga (who was sent off) and Mark Van Bommel (who should have been sent off, TWICE!) on the field, with disastrous consequences.

3. Not Taking Robin Van Persie Off the Field

With the exception of Fernando Torres, Van Persie was probably the most off-form high-profiled striker in the tournament. So when Vicente Del Bosque, the Spanish coach, had the right mind to keep Torres on the bench after showing everyone that he was not back yet, Van Marwijk showed his acumen by sticking with Van Persie forever. Did he forget that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was on the bench?

To their credit, Spain was the better side last night. But they didn't win the World Cup. It was the Dutch who lost it by shooting themselves in the foot, thanks to the smart decisions of one Bert Van Marwijk.