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The Netherlands will start as overwhelming favourites when they take on Uruguay in the first semifinal of the 2010 World Cup in Cape Town on Tuesday.
Barend Prins previews this encounter...
It will be hard to find two teams with more disparaging histories.
The Netherlands, on the one hand, have been football's bridesmaids during the last 40 years, reaching back-to-back World Cup finals in the 1970s. In the following three decades, they have always been one of the favourites ahead of any major trophy, be it the World Cup or the European Championships. Their only trophy of note, however, is Euro 1988.
Uruguay, on the other hand, are the 'old guard' of world football with two World Cup trophies in the cabinet, with the last of their triumphs taking place in 1950. A lot has changed in 60 years.
The present is not much different.
Whilst 'Die Oranje' only conceded two goals in their entire qualifying campaign and finished on top of their group, Uruguay was the last team to qualify for the 2010 showpiece, needing a 2-1 play-off victory over Costa Rica to book their tickets to South Africa.
Although most fans and pundits alike expect a Dutch victory, coach Bert van Marwijk maintains that his side won't underestimate the 'La Celeste'.
"They didn't reach the semifinal for nothing, so we have to really focus again and not think that we're already there.
"It will be a very dangerous match. The euphoria at home is massive and maybe it is good that we are so far away and cannot witness it because we really need to focus on Uruguay," van Marwijk said, after the quarterfinals.
Veteran Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez admits that his side is facing an uphill task against their arguably more illustrious opponents.
"We are amongst the four best teams at this World Cup. This is something we would never have imagined before coming to South Africa," Tabarez said, after his side's dramatic victory over Ghana on Friday evening.
"The Netherlands have some great players, but we cannot betray this group of players.
"If there is a glimmer of hope we must hang on. We will certainly not throw in the towel before playing that match," Tabarez continued.
Players to watch:
Uruguay will undoubtedly look to their captain Diego Forlan for inspiration once more, particularly with his strike partner Luis Suarez suspended for the match. With the way he roams around the pitch he is a nightmare to mark and lethal from set pieces. They certainly are not a one-man team, however, as Tabarez remarked: "We have enough footballers in our pack to send out a side which deserve my confidence. I think we have shown sufficient evidence of our capabilities."
All Dutch eyes will be on midfield general Wesley Sneijder. The Inter Milan man has been in fine form so far in South Africa and has scored four goals and been involved in the build-up of several others. He is another player who is tricky to mark as he often drifts between the opposing midfield and defence. Arjen Robben is skill personified and there isn't another footballer playing today as energetic as Dirk Kuyt.
Recent results
Holland and Uruguay have met in the World Cup once in the past, when the Netherlands won a 1974 World Cup encounter 2-0. Uruguay have triumphed in the three other meetings between the teams, but none of those results took place recently, so should have little bearing on this match.
Team selections:
Both teams will have to reshuffle their final XIs with players from both sides out suspended.
Apart from missing the goalscoring prowess of Suarez, Uruguay will also be without key defender Jorge Fucile, who will miss the semifinal through suspension. Defender Diego Lugano and midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro are both major injury concerns as well, so there is likely to be even more pressure on the workaholic Forlan.
The Netherlands will be without midfield grafter Nigel de Jongh as well as defender Gregory van der Wiel - both through suspension. The good news, however, is that Joris Mathijsen is expected to return to the line-up after recovering from a knee injury he picked up ahead of their semifinal clash.
Prediction:
Uruguay are dangerous in attack and organised at the back. They are seemingly prepared to do anything to ensure progression - just ask Ghana - and can not be discounted. A World Cup final berth seems to be bridge too far, however, and the Dutch should have too many guns for them. The Netherlands to win 2-0.
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