FIFA World Cup 2010: Determined Dutch take on spirited South Americans in 1st Semi-Final
The world’s best teams qualified for the World Cup Football which is nearing its climax. The million dollar question would seem to be “Who will rule the world?” A brief history on both sides, which are to clash in this first semi-final, to be played on 6th July at Cape Town's Green Point Stadium, between Netherlands and Uruguay, would help us formulate an opinion, which would otherwise be based on hearsay and incomplete information.
Uruguay has won the World Cup twice, but that was over half a century ago. They were the hosts of the inaugural competition and took the Cup but didn’t return until twenty years later, despite being a force to reckon with. They alleged that the European teams deliberately played below par in the first edition and boycotted the second event in 1934 due to their allegations. Four years later, they boycotted the event along with Argentina claiming the tournament should have been hosted by South America and not by a European nation for the second consecutive time. When they did return after the World War II in 1950, technically as defending champions, they were unstoppable and won the tournament for the second, and so far, the last time.
They did reach the last four in the next event but failed to qualify in 1958. In 1962, they were knocked out in the first round, while managed to reach the quarter finals in 1966. In 1970, they were able to qualify for the semi-finals, which was their best performance before this edition. They were knocked out in the first round in 1974, while they failed to qualify from the South American region in 1978 (when Argentina won the event), 1982, 1994 (winner Brazil), 1998 and 2006. They did show glimpses of return to form by reaching the last 16 in 1986 and 1990, yet their exit in the first round in 2002 shocked the fans back home.
On the other hand, Netherlands have had a rocky journey in the World Cup competition. They have been one of the better sides when they are on fire, yet at times, they have failed to qualify or even enter the event! They were knocked out in the first round in the two pre-World War events after missing the inaugural one, yet didn’t enter the first two post World War events. Failure to qualify between 1958 and 1970 made them go back to the drawing board and return as one of the better sides, and they shocked all by not only doing well but also reaching the grand finale, where they were toppled by West Germany and Argentina in 1974 and 1978 respectively.
Any other side would have gone up after these two performances, yet the Dutch couldn’t make it to their next finals before 1990, where they reached the second stage only to be knocked out. Similar fate awaited them in 2006, when they returned to the scene after missing the 2002 event. In between, they reached the last 8 in 1994 and the last 4, four years later where they were at their best, which wasn’t better than the teams that knocked them out.
Both the sides have played each other twice in World Cup matches before this semi-final, and both managed to win one, lose one. While Uruguay has played 10 World Cups and won twice, Netherlands have never won the title in their 8 appearances. Uruguay has scored 7 goals in this year's event while only 2 have been scored against them; while the Dutch have scored 9 and 3 have been scored against them. Dutch have won all 5 of their matches this year, while the South Americans won 3, drew 2.
Whichever side manages to win their semi-final, they will reach the grand finale, which is not a small feat! While Uruguay carries the hopes of a South American win, the Dutch would give it their 100 percent for a European triumph!
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