EURO 2012 Qualification – Match Preview: Netherlands versus Finland
Netherlands will be looking to carry on with their brilliant run of form in their second qualification match against Finland. In their first qualifier, the Dutch hammered five goals past San Marino to go to the top of their qualification group.
Holland have changed a lot as a team during the past three months. When Van Marwijk’s side arrived to the FIFA 2010 World Cup, they were branded as above average but not good enough to make it to the later stages of the tournament. However, under Marwijk, Netherlands have adopted a new style of play, a style of play which is perhaps not as appealing or attractive to the eye as their total football setup but arguably more effective than what their predecessors achieved.
With stars like Robben, Kuyt, Van Persie and Sneidjer in their ranks, Holland made it till the final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup only to lose in extra time to Spain due to Andres Iniesta’s strike. Comfortable with their new identity, Netherlands have gotten off to the flying start as far as qualification for the European Championships of 2012 is concerned.
Van Marwijk has called back the prolific ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ruud Van Nistelrooy to his Dutch side, something that they needed due to the lack of goals that his team was facing in the lead up to qualification. In the five nil win over San Marino, headlines were stolen by Klass Jan Huntelaar’s hatrick over the European minnows and Huntelaar’s manager will be hoping for a similar show of strength by the Dutch in their match against Finland.
Holland’s match against Finland is scheduled to be played at the De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Dutch are expected to take lead of the home advantage and put in an impressive display for the “Oranje”. Despite the fact that legends such as Johann Cruyff have criticized Van Marwijk’s team for being too pragmatic and defensive in the field, Holland have proved them wrong due to the results that the team has been achieving.
In their last five matches, Netherlands have only lost a single match and that was against Spain in the World Cup final, other four matches include three wins against the likes of Uruguay and Brazil. Whereas only a single match has resulted in a draw against Ukraine in a post-World Cup friendly match.
Holland’s opponents, Finland have been going through a tough time recently. In their opening qualification game to Moldova, Finland capitulated to an embarrassing two goals to nil defeat, something that was not expected of the Stuart Baxter’s side. After the match, Stuart quite rightly admitted that the defeat was a huge disappointment and that things will be hard for the Finnish after the loss to Moldova.
Finland will approach the match without their experienced defender Sami Hyypia, who was shown a red card against Moldova. Last Finnish win against the Dutch came back in 1950, when Finland defeated Holland by four goals to one.
Most the Dutch squad is fully fit and raring to go apart from Dirk Kuyt, who suffered an injury and will be replaced by Rafael Van Der Vaart in the Dutch line up. Heitinga is also available for selection for Netherlands after being suspended for their tie against San Marino.
Finland have only won two of their last five matches while the two of the other four have resulted in losses. Only one match has resulted in a draw for the Finnish. Last time these two teams met was in 2005 when Netherlands ended up as winners by four goals to nil in a World Cup qualification match.
Dutch are expected to play Huntelaar in attack ahead of Van Nistelrooy whilst Finland will be banking on their old veteran Jari Litmanen, who has scored thirty one goals for his national team in one thirty five matches.
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