WORLD CUP ROSSONERI: FRANK RIJKAARD

For two of the three great Dutchmen in AC Milan's history, their last important outing with the Dutch national team was in the 1992 European Championships. As reigning champions, the Netherlands went to Sweden with favourable odds and brilliantly passed the group stage: successes over Scotland and Germany, a draw against the Commonwealth of Independent States, formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

What interrupted the dream of historic back-to-back European titles, which would have been the first in the history of the competition, was their surprising defeat on penalties in the semi-final against Denmark, a last minute addition on the eve of the tournament. That evening in Gothenburg was therefore the last appearance in a major tournament for Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten: both making a few appearances in the 1994 World Cup qualifiers, but nothing more.

This was not the case, however, for Frank Rijkaard. For the versatile Amsterdam-born midfielder there was still time for his swansong in the national team, incidentally a year after his departure from AC Milan, with whom he had won 10 trophies, with a pair of Scudetti, Italian Super Cups, Champions Leagues, European Super Cups and Intercontinental Cups. 

Rijkaard's good physical condition - in his return season at Ajax where he became Dutch champion for the fourth time - and the continued trust of new coach Dick Advocaat had allowed him to be called up for a second World Cup. In the USA the last 24-team edition in history was staged - in 1998 the 32-team formula came into play - and the Netherlands were grouped with 'neighbours' Belgium, Morocco (appearing in their third World Cup, their first since reaching the Round of 16 in 1986) and complete newcomers, Saudi Arabia.

It was against the Saudi Arabians that the Dutch played their tournament opener (a 2-1 victory on 20 June in Washington), with Rijkaard as a starter putting in a solid performance in Advocaat's midfield. Frank was also a starter five days later in Orlando, when, however, a narrow defeat came at the hands of Belgium. They made it out of the group stage nevertheless (in first place) with a last-gasp winner over Morocco, thanks also to the Saudis' surprising upset over the Belgians.

The knockout round proposed, in the Round of 16, a clash already seen four years earlier in Palermo, during Italy 1990: the encounter with Charlton's Ireland, who had surprised Sacchi's Italy in their group. A challenge overcome with character (2-0, both goals in the first half) by the Netherlands, also thanks to Rijkaard's return as a starter. Then their journey - but also the former Rossoneri's experience with the national team - was cut short in the next round, against Brazil in Dallas: Frank and his team-mates were able to claw back the initial two goal lead from Brazil before succumbing in the end to Branco's decisive goal.

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