2010 World Cup Soccer

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The Netherlands will hope to make it an all-European FIFA World Cup final when it meets Uruguay in its semi-final encounter at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town tonight.

In a last-four contest that the general football public wouldn’t have predicted, both the Netherlands and Uruguay have performed consistently in getting this far in South Africa and have arguably earned their place in the semi-finals on the back of some courageous first-team performances.

Indeed, many pundits envisaged that the quarter-final clash against Brazil would spell the conclusion of a respectable tournament campaign for the Dutch; but Bert van Marwijk’s men had other ideas transforming a 1-0 deficit at the break into a 2-1 victory after 90 minutes courtesy of a match-winning Wesley Sneijder brace.

Uruguay’s progression to the last four was similarly hard-fought, yet Oscar Tabarez’s side’s controversy-filled battle with Ghana needed to be won on penalties, with Sebastian Abreu arrogantly scoring the decisive penalty through a delightfully delicate chip.

Despite obtaining victory, La Celeste would’ve felt fortunate to still even be in the competition as the Africans squandered a huge chance to set up a semi-final date with Holland as Ghanaian striker, Asamoah Gyan, failed to convert what would’ve been a match-winning penalty in the 120^th minute.

Regardless of how Uruguay made it, the South Americans are only two steps away from securing their third FIFA World Cup; and will be confident of adding to their tally starting with a victory over the Dutch come Tuesday evening.

Furthermore, it has been 40 years since Uruguay last featured in the semi-finals when La Celeste fell at the penultimate hurdle of the 1970 FIFA World Cup as a result of a 3-1 defeat to a Pelé-inspired Brazilian outfit.

Yet for the Netherlands, this will be its fourth time appearing in the semi-finals of the world-championship tournament with previous appearances back in 1974, 1978 and 1998; and with Holland enjoying a 100% success rate in 2010, it will feel that it has the right ingredients to serve up a commanding victory to its dedicate Oranje fanbase.

Team News – Uruguay

Thus far in the tournament, Tabarez has relied on a fairly stable formula to steer his side to the final four; but with four players certain to miss the match against the Dutch, the Uruguayan coach will need to implement Plan B to manoeuvre his charges one step further.

Midfielder, Nicolas Lodeiro, is definitely ruled out for the rest of the tournament after breaking a bone in his right foot.

Meanwhile, captain, Diego Lugano, has been rated as doubtful after the knee ligament injury he sustained against Ghana is deemed to be more serious than first thought.

Additionally, Jorge Fucile’s second caution of the tournament and Luis Suarez’s match-winning misdemeanour deep into injury time against the Ghanaians have both earned them a one-match ban.

However, there is a chance that Diego Godin will be fit enough to return to the line-up after having seemingly recovered from a thigh injury.

Team News – Netherlands

Injuries aren’t a factor for van Marwijk, but the Dutch coach will be lamenting suspensions incurred on his side from the inspirational victory over Brazil.

The Dutch will be forced to make at least two changes after Nigel De Jong and Gregory van der Wiel both collected respective second yellow cards.

However, Holland will be able to call on its starting striker in Robin van Persie as any fears of an elbow injury against the Brazilians have been alleviated with the Arsenal marksman declared fit to face the Uruguayans on Tuesday.

Also, Joris Mathijsen, who pulled out of the Dutch line-up during the warm-up of the quarter-final with Brazil, is expected to return to the line-up at the expense of Andre Ooijer.

Ooijer can count himself unfortunate though, as the defender performed with distinction holding the Samba Kings to just the one goal for the match.

Match Prediction

While the two lightly-populated nations both enjoy rich football histories steeped in tradition and admiration, only one can go through to the final and attempt to claim the main prize in what is shaping up to be an extremely competitive first semi-final.

It is no secret that the Europeans go into this clash as heavy favourites, but with the Uruguayans not suffering defeat in 2010, they will feel that this is their time to secure their first major scalp of the tournament.

Despite all this, Uruguay’s defence is nothing short of decimated and with a squad appearing far from full-strength, it should see the South Americans chasing ‘Dutch’ stars in its quest for FIFA World Cup glory.

Uruguay 0-2 Netherlands

Kick-off commences at 04:30 (AEST) on Wednesday 7 July 2010.

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