World Cup 2010 – Semifinal #1 Uruguay vs. the Netherlands
Not many experts picked these two to be facing each other at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town Tuesday for the right to advance to the championship match July 11th, but Uruguay and The Netherlands have certainly earned their way to this point.
Uruguay has done it with a well-balanced offense and defense in wins over Korea and Mexico and a penalty shootout victory over Ghana, while The Netherlands’ five wins and no defeats including a brilliant effort against Brazil, is a bit more focused on an offensive mindset.
It is precisely that offensive power of Holland combined with a depleted roster with Uruguay that I am sticking to my pre-tournament prediction of The Netherlands advancing to the Final.
Arjen Robben looking to get the Dutch into their first Final in 32 years
Forward Luis Suarez, a key to the Uruguyan scoring punch, will miss the game after being red-carded blocking a shot on the goal line with his hand in the quarterfinal against Ghana. The team’s lack of depth will be exposed with two additional leading players, Nicholas Lodeiro and captain Diego Lugano likely out with foot and knee injuries respectively.
With most of the media attention given to the likes of England, Spain, Brazil and Argentina, the Dutch have been rolling along semi-quietly..until their big win over Brazil.
Still the Oranje should be able to handle the pressure. Look for them to use their strength on offense through the wizardry of Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder along with Kuyt and Van Persie to take advantage of a Uruguay squad not operating at full strength.
