Holland’s Phillip Cocu is, almost for sure, at his final World Cup in his career. Still, who is Phillip Cocu and why is he so important for his team this time around?

For years, after all, the veteran PSV midfielder’s selfless and tireless toil in a tangerine shirt has gone largely unappreciated as headline-grabbing colleagues such as Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert and the De Boer brothers hogged both the limelight and the acclaim. Now, as one of just a couple of survivors from that star-studded generation, Cocu is more important to the Dutch cause than ever, with many pinpointing the former Barcelona stalwart as the key player in Marco van Basten’s fledgling side.

There were certainly worried glances exchanged when the 35-year-old limped off during the first half of Sunday’s bruising 1-1 draw with Australia - and relief when it was revealed that the injury is unlikely to prevent him from taking his place at the heart of Van Basten’s three-man midfield at Germany 2006.

At previous tournaments, Cocu has been the Netherlands’ utility man, shifted from the centre to the left, from midfield to defence and back again, all depending on injuries, suspensions and the whims of his coaches.

That was never more evident than in the FIFA World Cup semi-final against Brazil in 1998, which saw him excel as a makeshift left-back, but also witnessed an agonising moment he still describes as the worst of his long and glittering career. On that occasion, even Cocu was left drained and beset by cramp after 120 taxing minutes in the Marseille sun, and his tiredness was certainly painfully in a weakly-struck penalty that contributed to Netherlands crashing out in the cruellest manner possible.

“I hope I will be able to look back at my international career as a happy man,” he said, “and that would have to include a World Cup.

“I have always worked for that international final and it bothers me that I have never played in one. That is why we go to Germany. We don’t participate to make the semi-finals.” What is clear is that, if the Netherlands are to go all the way this summer, the smart money would be on their midfield ‘angel’ playing a significant, if typically understated role.

Source: WCoffsite