WHAT'S with the Dutch? Why must they always make easy chores look downright dicey.

Like this Euro 2004 Playoff.

I mean, how could they lose to Scotland last week?

We're talking about Holland, mind you. The country which gave the world total football and Johan Cruyff.

Not to mention Rembrandt and the other Dutch masters.

Don't forget also the little fella who used his brains and his finger to plug a hole in a dyke. Boy, did he save some engineers the blushes.

Yes, I'm talking about THAT Holland.

Where they could once walk in and command a standing ovation, tomorrow will see them with their backs to the wall fighting for their survival on home soil.

At other times, this would be a betting man's dream match. All he had to do was bet on Holland, go to bed, dream and, come morning, collect his winnings.

Not anymore. Not today.

Now, the betting man must think and think again.

Even when he allows his rent money to ride with Holland, he'll be tossing and turning in bed.

After being hung up to dry by a buoyant Scottish team last week, the Dutch must regroup, reorganise and rethink tactics when they play the return leg tomorrow morning.

So, should the betting man throw caution to the wind and go Dutch?

While I rant and rave about what used to be, I reckon Holland have enough strength and firepower to overcome the Scots.

I say this because the team will not want to incur the wrath of the Orange Army who will settle for nothing less than victory and qualification to next year's event.

Sure, Holland will not have Jaap Stam to shoulder the defensive work. And they might not have Frank De Boer - which, in a way, represents two holes in the dyke.

But, come on, coach Dick Advocaat has more aces than a cheat at a poker table.

He has Ruud van Nistelrooy and Patrick Kluivert and Roy Makaay and Pierre van Hooijdonk.

Edwin van der Sar is no slouch in goal. Then there's Philip Cocu, Edgar Davids and the rock-steady Marc Overmaars.

It's like a who's-who of European soccer.

Okay, maybe there are some bad blood in the side. And some players can't see eye to eye.

But, come on, surely these ego-battles can be put aside for this one shot at national glory?

NOBODY

Look at Scotland. Who do they have? Nobody of merit.

They won because they were ready to bleed on the pitch at Hampden Park.

Tomorrow morning, the action will be in Amsterdam. And the Dutch will hold the patriotic card.

So I say, go Dutch. They know they must win and they will win. The dyke cannot collapse. The Orange Army will not allow it to happen.