Humiliation as Netherlands fail to qualify for Euro-2016 Championship

The word is not “shocking”, rather, it is “How come?”.

Just like that, the mighty Oranje, the 2010 World Cup finalists, Brazil 2014 3rd place winners, have failed to pull through the qualification stages to the prime European Championship to be held some months from now in France.

So, how come?

From coaching staff instability, to intra-squad squalor, and to damning injuries to important players, these low-points probably give a hint as to why and how this team that was once hailed for the flair, couldn’t claim their place of pride amongst the 24 national teams to compete in France.

A humiliating 3-2 home defeat to 10-man Czech Republic some moments ago, that saw a Van-Persie even score an own-goal, eventually rubbed more salt on their already putrid injury, further sealing a dismal and forgettable year for them.

This failure will deprive football fans the pleasure of seeing some well-courted football stars on the field. From Van Persie, to Manchester United new boy, Memphis Depay, and to the mercurial Arjen Robbed,  they will all be missed.

The Oranje will hope to bounce back into reckoning as the World Cup qualifiers for the Russia 2018 tournament will get underway as soon as possible.

At the moment, they are left licking their wounds.

Poor Oranje.