On my very first post for Round Ball Passion, It Takes Dutch Courage to Pick Football’s World Cup Winner , I predicted a June 11th final between Holland and Spain. Tonight my forecast takes its first of two semi final tests when the Dutch take on Uruguay in Cape Town.
Uruguay go into tonight’s game without banned three goal striker Luis Suarez, and that will shift a lot of responsibility onto fellow hitman Diego Forlan who has also found the back of the net three times in this competition so far.
Uruguay coach Óscar Tabárez will be a relieved man after Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan’s last minute extra time penalty miss gave his side a chance of victory in the resulting penalty shootout. Sebastian Abreu’s audacious chipped spot kick gave Uruguay a 4-2 win over the African nation.
Great team spirit and a heavy reliance on Forlan to score goals may not be enough for the South Americans to overcome Ber Van Marwijk’s Oranje team who are looking stronger with each game.
The Dutch side may lack the flair of Netherland’s wonder sides of previous years but Johann Cruyff, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten never got their hands on football’s major trophy. Today’s heroes, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie (photo by bobster855) and Wesley Sneijder are perfectly positioned to do so. Holland’s massive orange clad supporters will also be a pivotal factor in deciding what should ultimately be a close fought game high in drama.
Sneijder also has the chance to establish himself as the World Cup’s player of the tournament. Holland’s driving force looks ready and primed to pick up the mantle from previous World Cup greats. Robben also has a great opportunity to make a dash to get his hands on the prestigious award.
Two time World Cup winners Uruguay (1930 & 1950) won’t easily relinquish the chance of making it a hat trick but I expect Holland to run out eventual 2-0 winners and book their place in Sunday’s final. That would make it six consecutive wins at this World Cup and wouldn’t seven be heaven for the Dutch team and their fans in Johannesburg on Sunday evening.
Double Dutch Goals to Overcome Uruguay…
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Paul the octopus was right. Way to go Paul!