Bert van Marwijk's insistence on adding disciplined play to natural Dutch flair has guided the team into a World Cup final 32 years after its last.

A relatively little known coach compared with compatriots such as Guus Hiddink and Marco van Basten, he has made sure his talented players know what to do when they don't have the ball.

After a 3-2 victory over Uruguay put his team into Sunday's final against either Spain or Germany, Van Marwijk described how he had overcome a Dutch tendency to get a little too confident when they are winning.

He loves playing "beautiful football", he said. But sometimes when things go well, the players relax and get knocked out.

The Dutch lost both its previous finals in 1974 and '78.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP