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NETHERLANDS PREPARED FOR URUGUAY
Forty years in the making, the Netherlands are
within two victories of eliminating the anguish of never capturing the
World Cup.
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Arjen Robben Photo REUTERS
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Though the great Clockwork Orange sides of the 1970's, led
by the legendary Johan Cruyff, shook the foundations of the sport with
"Totaalvoetbal", they succumbed in the finals of the 1974 and
1978 World Cup. Going through a dark period in the 1980's, the following
decade under Guus Hiddink the Netherlands came within a penalty shoot-out
loss to Brazil in the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup. As Bert van Marwijk's
side face Uruguay on Tuesday evening in Cape Town's Green Point Stadium
in the World Cup semi finals, they have a chance to avenge the demons
of the past and forever put their footprint on the great history of Dutch
football.
The 2010 version of the Oranje is packed with talent including, Wesley
Sneijder, Dirk Kuyt and playmaker extraordinaire Arjen Robben, with the
veteran leadership of Feyenoord's Giovanni van Bronckhorst. While they
advanced almost sheepishly in the group stages, their victory over Brazil
in the quarterfinals established a professional aplomb that has been rarely
been seen this World Cup. Bayern Munchen's Arjen Robben is playing with
cunning vision and confidence, rewarding Bert van Marwijk for his selection
despite coming into the competition with a tenuous injury situation. The
Dutch tactician will however be challenged without the services of Nigel
de Jong and Gregory van der Wiel, who are suspended, with Demy de Zeeuw
and Khalid Boulahrouz to likely step into the respective spots.
Uruguay, which tasted the pinnacle of the World Cup sixty years ago with
a victory over Brazil have been inspiring but are far from fully stocked
cupboard. Oscar Tabarez's has been a miracle worker with La Celeste but
he comes into the contest without Luis Suarez and Jorge Fucile, due to
suspension and defender Diego Lugano is looking very unlikely, while Nicolas
Lodeiro's appearance in South Africa is over with a broken foot. Should
Diego Lugano be unavailable, Colo-Colo veteran Andres Scotti will likely
be the first choice. Despite these absences and the many mentions of the
Netherlands satisfying regrets of the past, Sniper Diego Forlan has been
spellbinding and interestingly enough as his own connection to the Clockwork
Orange as his father Pablo faced them as a part of Uruguay's 1974 World
Cup side that succumbed to the Dutch 2-0.
Contrary to the pre-match posturing and other nonsense in the media by
Argentina's Diego Maradona before Germany crushed them, both managers
are wisely complimentary of their opposition. While Bert van Marwijk has
lauded Uruguay for their inspired play noting, "if you see their
passion it could serve as an example for us", Oscar Tabarez has not
been shy of accolades. Citing the difference to the 2010 Netherlands line-up,
the veteran leader underlined their balanced play, technical proficiency
with high work rate. Ultimately, with passion and suspense running high
on both sides of the pitch, this will prove to be fight to the end.
Prepared by John Davies for Sport Express
Sport
Express Daily, 06 July 2010
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