FIFA World Cup 2010: Dutch Fans Arrive in South Africa
The D-day has arrived as the football World Cup 2010 final ensues between two European power houses Spain and The Netherlands, with many experts of the game tipping the reigning European champions to prevail over two time World Cup finalists.
The opinion of the experts matter little to thousands of Dutch fans who have flocked in Johannesburg to catch a glimpse of the historic occasion at the soccer city stadium as the 19th edition of the greatest prize in football draws to a close, after a colourful closing ceremony.
A large contingent of Dutch fans arrived at Johannesburg's or Tambo airport on Sunday hours before their national team take the field in search of a first ever world crown.
The Dutch failed at the last hurdle twice in successive tournaments in 1974 and 1978 to three time champions Germany and South American powerhouse Argentina, but they will be hoping 2010 South Africa will be third time lucky.
On the morning of the final an additional 300 fans arrived at the airport early courtesy a specially organized trip to watch the final.
"I think we are the 12th player of the Netherlands, and so we are going to make the difference because the teams are quite equal," said one Dutch fan at the airport.
"We're going to win of course, it's going to be a simple 2-0 or 3-0 win, because I think Spain is going to be overconfident which will give us the lead, no problem, it's a win for Holland, it's 2-0 Holland wins the World Cup. Yeah!," said another who failed to acknowledge that their opponents had any semblance of a chance at what is expected to be the most watched sporting spectacle in recent years, with billions expected to witness the game all over the world.
The Dutch many believe deserve the title more after their flawless campaign in the qualifying and finals of the tournament cruising through Group E with victories over former European champions Denmark, Japan and 1990 quarter-finalists Cameroon.
In the second round they went past first time participants Slovakia before shocking five time world champions Brazil, after conceding an early lead in the match to reach the semi-finals.
The rampaging Dutch team then reached the final South American contenders Uruguay in the semi final to set up a clash with pre-tournament favourites Spain.
"We're definitely going to make it, we have a good feeling. We've been flying all night, we've been delayed, but now we're here, now we're going to take it home.
The fans are confident that their team is set to bury the ghosts of the 70’s and win the most sought after prize in international football, and once that is achieved the Dutch nation is set to party for days no end.
The nation’s expectations rest on shoulders of attacking midfielders Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.
Sneijder is joint top scorer with Spain's David Villa on five goals and a leading contender for the Golden Ball award.
The Inter Milan midfielder has had one of the most memorable seasons for an international play maker who is on the verge of securing an unprecedented quadruple of titles in one season following his club's treble.
Villa on the other hand has been in smashing form for the Spaniards and has scored some spell-binding goals for his team, as the other pivotal performer Fernando Torres looks to regain the touch which has made him one of the real stars in English club Liverpool.
The final is set to be a classic, and both teams are going to give everything they have in order to dethrone each other and the team that crumbles first might lose out on a golden opportunity of becoming the World Champions for the first time. Waka Waka!
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