On October 30, 1974 there was a sporting event in Africa which would see unfamiliar and unconventional tactics used in order to win, much like those of the Netherlands in Sunday evening's World Cup final versus Spain.
The sports may have been different but the mantra was the same; to win, at any cost.
Holland have been widely criticised for this approach which is quite contradictory, almost hypocritical, when you consider that Muhammad Ali, who won against all odds in the "Rumble in the Jungle", was written about in mythical terms following his victory.
Some may argue that the tactics employed by the Dutch would not look out of place in a boxing ring but, like it or not, they competed within the rules. Their approach was condemned by the majority of pundits on hand to provide 'expert' opinion, the same 'experts' that would no doubt have been full of praise for these tactics had it been England taking the pre-tournament favourites, Spain, to extra-time.
Despite beating Brazil 2-1 en route to the final, Holland were never going to beat Spain at a passing game, it's as simple as that. With a midfield boasting the creative influences of Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso, Spain would have been all too happy for Holland to come out and play a slick brand of football. This would have suited Spain and Holland knew it.
Holland had proven that they were capable of attractive football during this World Cup and have done through the years, the history of a nation's footballing pedigree will never be judged on any one match. So why the ill-feeling towards their tactics?
Holland adapted to the conditions and exploited a chink in Spain's armour but, although happy to acknowledge this, there doesn't seem to be one person ready to praise it. At half time Gary Lineker, the BBC's Match of the Day presenter, asked: "Well, is this the way to stop the Spanish?". In short, yes it was and it should have been applauded for presenting a fascinating final of Rough Vs Smooth.People gave Ali little chance of beating the heavyweight champion George Foreman in much the same way Holland were given little chance of causing Spain any problems at the Soccer City stadium. Did Ali stick to his familiar formula of quick feet? Or did he adapt in order to win? He did the latter and to devastating effect. He understood that Foreman was powerful and that he would not be able to out-punch him, so Ali retreated to the ropes from the second round to the sixth, in the sapping heat, willingly making himself a punch bag. In doing this Ali knew that Foreman was tiring, he knew that his opponent had no longevity in a bout; 37 of Foreman's 40 previous knock-outs had occurred in the first three rounds of a match. He knew he could win, albeit unconventionally.
Muhammad Ali pounced in the eighth round, with Foreman seriously fatigued, and won by knockout when the champion failed to make the count. Holland did, at times, show their potential with Arjen Robben, the Dutch forward, missing two glorious opportunities when the sides were deadlocked at 0-0.
Even when the game went into extra-time, the players having strained every sinew and running on pure adrenalin, neither Spain or Holland changed their tactics. In the second-half of extra-time Holland were reduced to ten men when Hoawrd Webb, the referee, showed Johnny Heitinga, the Dutch central defender, a second yellow card for a foul on Iniesta who would have been in with a clear sight of goal. It was cynical but it was a small price to pay in the search of glory.
It was not to be though as Spain exerted more pressure on the depleted Holland defence with Francesc Fabregas, the Spain and Arsenal midfielder, eventually finding Iniesta free inside the area to rifle past the onrushing Dutch goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, to seal a first World Cup win for Spain.
So, it didn't turn out to be the spectacle the neutrals were hoping for. Do you think the Dutch would have cared had they won? Not at all. Would they do it all over again if it guaranteed success? You bet they would. Sometimes in sport you have to win ugly, go against the grain and de-skill yourself if necessary. This is exactly what the Ali did, in Zaire, in 1974.
