From 'total football' to total disaster for Dutch

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Dutch soccer fans are in mourning after the once-mighty Oranje failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, plunging the inventors of "total football" into a collective bout of soul-searching.

Not even two goals from retiring legend Arjen Robben against Sweden could save the Dutch, who have now earned the dubious distinction of failing to make it to two major soccer competitions in a row.

After Tuesday's match, Dutch captain and stalwart of tournaments past Robben announced his retirement from the national team - marking the end of an era which saw him and other top Netherlands stars such as Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Rafael van der Vaart threaten to win the sport's greatest prizes.