Rijkaard plots a return to the golden era

That brand of football saw the Dutch reach two World Cup finals — 1974 and 1978 — and Rijkaard voiced the philosophies of those days after the match.

“If the goals don’t come, it’s no problem,” said the man who replaced Guus Hiddink after this summer’s World Cup. “It’s more important to me how our football looks. We can all play football — the wing backs, the stoppers and the libero.”

Rijkaard could have been forgiven for expecting a frosty reception in Germany after achieving arch-villain status for spitting at Rudi Voeller in the 1990 World Cup.

But instead, after his side’s polished and skillful performance, he found himself thecentre of admiration in Gelsenkirchen. The former AC Milan player has long since made his peace with Voeller and he wasn’t looking back on Wednesday.

Instead he was fielding questions from Germans keen to know the secrets behind his team’s stylish display against the home side. The Dutch, missing several key players such as Dennis Bergkamp and Edgar Davids, taught the European champions a football lesson in the first half. Michael Reiziger put them ahead with a long-range shot in the 22nd minute.

The only thing they could be faulted for was finishing only one goal up after 45 minutes. Germany looked a better side in the second half, with Olaf Marschall securing the equaliser in the 52nd minute.

“We had to take off some players in the second half because of some slight injuries and that influenced the game,” Rijkaard said, suggesting his enforced substitutions may have had a lot to do with the Germans’ improvement.

But Rijkaard, impeccably dressed in shirt and tie and speaking excellent German,showed he has learned a few diplomatic skills since his playing days.

He wished Germany coach Erich Ribbeck every success in building a new national side and praised the home team’s resilience. “They reacted with lots of power and energy. I compliment them on that,” he said.