FIFA World Cup 2010 – Uruguay vs. Netherlands Semi-Final Preview
As the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2010 kick-off in South Africa today, Uruguay is gearing itself to face one of the most impressive European teams of the tournament in the shape of the Netherlands. The Dutch have been more than just “impressive” throughout this tournament and haven’t lost a single game which is why they have triumphed over every single opponent that they have faced in South Africa 2010. On the other hand, the underdogs Uruguay haven’t lost either but they drew a match against France and their record is slightly different from that of the Dutch, as they have an “all-win” streak. However, the South Americans haven’t lost a match as yet.
The Uruguayans were to face very tough opponents in the group stages as they were paired up with the host nation South Africa, along with the 2002 champions, France and their fellow South American nation Mexico. Their first match was against France, and the match ended in a goalless draw as the French were unable to beat the Uruguayan defence. On the contrary, Diego Forlan made a few good attempts on goal but failed to convert any one of them. Their second match was against the host nation South Africa and that was the time when the Uruguayans showed their worth. Uruguay won the match with a thumping score of 3-0 with Diego Forlan earning the man of the match title. The Athletico Madrid star made it easy for his country as he scored twice; the first coming from a fabulous shot from range while the second popped into the net from a penalty.
Uruguay had already made it to the next round but they had one last team to beat in the shape of Mexico. The Mexicans were an in-form team as they defeated the French with a crushing 2-0 score line to knock them out of the World Cup. It was a dead rubber where only the first and second spot in the group would be finalised. By achieving the first spot, one of the two teams was going to avoid the impressive Argentinean side in the round of 16. Uruguay defeated Mexico by a single goal as they qualified for the next stage to battle the underdog Korean side. Korea DPR looked to be a strong side at first but then Luis Suarez ruined their dreams by scoring two goals for his country to help them qualify for the quarter-finals.
Uruguay had to face the only African nation left in the tournament in the shape of Ghana. The Black Stars on the other hand qualified after beating the USA in an impressive match and knocked them out in the pre quarter-finals. Ghana and Uruguay clashed in South Africa to decide who was going to qualify for the semi-finals. The first goal was scored Ghana, when Muntari scored a fabulous goal from way outside the 18 yard box. Uruguay won a free in the second half where Diego Forlan scored a marvellous goal, carrying the match into extra-time. It was all Ghana afterwards as they kept on attacking after every minute and were not looking tired at all.
In the second half of extra-time, Ghana won a free kick and they made good use of it as well. Gyan’s headed the ball towards the goal but a solitary defender at the goal mouth was able to block the ball from going inside the net. The ball went back to Gyan who headed it back but Luis Suarez became the hero of the day for Uruguay as he slapped the ball out of the goal and did not let it go in. The referee sent him off as Ghana was awarded the penalty in the stoppage time of the second extra-time. Gyan, who was the top scorer for Ghana, took the penalty and struck the cross bar and managed to miss. The match ended in a draw it came down to penalty kicks in the end. Uruguay won the match 4-2 to qualify for the semi-finals and will meet the confident Netherlands today.
The Dutch, on the other hand, have had a fabulous run in the FIFA World Cup 2010. Till now, they haven’t lost or drawn any match and have won all the matches they stepped into. Their group was relatively easier than Uruguay as they had to face Japan, Denmark and Cameroon. Their first match was against a strong Denmark team and the match was supposed to be a close one for both the sides but Netherlands totally outclassed the Danes. The first goal, however, was an own goal coming off from Van Persie’s ball into the 18 yard box. A second goal was scored from a deflected shot from the keeper which was thumped into the goal by Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt in the 85th minute of the match.
Netherlands had to face the very organized Japanese side in their next match. The Japanese were strong in their defence and did not let the Dutch score in the first half. Wesley Sneijder however scored with a beautiful shot in the second half which was to be the only goal in the match. Their last group match was against a weak Cameroon side. Samuel Eto’o, the Cameroon forward, did not do much for his country as they were defeated by the Europeans with an easy 2-1 defeat. With an “all-win” streak, Netherlands qualified for the next round to meet the underdogs, Slovakia.
The Slovakians were already overwhelmed over their victory against the defending champions Italy in the group stages. Netherlands took the match as a “training session” as they defeated them easily with a score of 2-1. With the Slovakians defeated, it came down to the best team in the world. In the quarter-finals, Netherlands went head-to-head with Brazil, a team which every soccer nation wanted to defeat. The Brazilians were considered to be the favourites for this match but of course, the Netherlands were the only team that could defeat them and that was exactly what the Dutch did. With an outstanding performance from Wesley Sneijder, the match ended with an unexpected result. Although the Brazilians took an early lead with a goal coming from Robinho, the Dutch did not give up and came back in the second half with a cross from Wesley Sneijder, which turned into an own goal by Felipe Melo. That was followed by a header from Sneijder in the second half into the Brazilian net, sealing the deal for the South Americans. The Dutch overcame the odds that night and qualified for the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2010.
For now, nothing can be said about the match between the two sides as the Uruguayans are missing a fine attacker, Luis Suarez, due to his suspension in the last match. However, anything can happen when Diego Forlan is working like a gem in the squad.
Tags: