Netherlands 0-1 Spain
Champions of Europe and now champions of the world, Spain captured football’s Holy Grail for the first time with a 1-0 victory over the Netherlands thanks to Andres Iniesta’s 116th-minute strike at Soccer City.
Iniesta puts Spain on top of the world
The solitary goal came with penalties looming as substitute Cesc Fabregas played in Iniesta and the little midfielder drove emphatically across Maarten Stekelenburg and into the far corner. With this victory – their fourth successive single-goal win in South Africa – Spain became the eighth name on the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy and also the first European team to have triumphed on a different continent. For the Netherlands, who lost defender John Heitinga to a red card in extra time, there is only the heartache of another tale of what might have been after they completed a hat-trick of Final losses.
This was a match preceded by much talk of two like-minded footballing cultures, of the influence of Dutchmen like Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, of ‘tiki taka‘ and Total Football. In many ways, as the first 116 minutes showed, it was also a case of the irresistible force versus the immovable object. The Dutch had won 14 straight games to get to the Final, in qualifying and the tournament proper, and Spain 15 out of 16, their only slip the defeat by Switzerland in their first game here in South Africa.
It was the Spanish found their stride first, living up to their pre-game billing as favourites. Vicente del Bosque’s side dominated possession and created the early chances. With the Dutch penned inside their half, goalkeeper Stekelenburg had to make a save after five minutes, diving low to stop a Sergio Ramos header from Xavi’s free-kick from the right. Gerard Pique looked poised to follow up only to be denied by a combination of Joris Mathijsen and Dirk Kuyt.
Ramos came again in the tenth minute, beating Kuyt on the right and driving in a low centre that Heitinga deflected behind. From the corner came another scare for the Netherlands. Xavi played the ball back to Xabi Alonso whose cross went beyond the far post to David Villa but the in-form No7 sliced his volley into the side-netting. After those near things, however, both defences got on top with none of the flair players on either side able to take a grip on proceedings. Instead the yellow-card count began to rise with Nigel de Jong becoming the fifth player in Howard Webb’s notebook by the time the half-hour mark arrived.
With the orange sections of the 84,490 Soccer City crowd finding their voice, Bert van Marwijk’s men almost gave them something to sing about from a corner in the 37th minute. Robben rolled the ball to Mark van Bommel on the edge of the box and although he failed to make a clean connection he unwittingly diverted the ball on to the unmarked Mathijsen but the defender missed his kick. As half-time approached, Iker Casillas had barely had a save to make but entering stoppage time, he had to be alert to deny Robben at his near post as a spell of Dutch pressure ended with the winger spearing in a low shot from the corner of the box.
Puyol, Spain’s semi-final matchwinner, showed his aerial threat once more minutes after the restart when he rose above Heitinga and headed to the far post but Joan Capdevila failed to make contact. The game was gradually opening up and the Dutch spurned a golden opportunity in the 62nd minute when Wesley Sneijder sent Robben running clear. Casillas came to Spain’s rescue, deflecting the shot behind with his right foot when falling the wrong way.
Spain coach Del Bosque had already sent on Jesus Navas for Pedro on the hour and the winger helped pick a hole in the Dutch defence in the 70th minute. Xavi sent him flying down the right into the box and when Heitinga failed to deal with Navas’s low cross, the ball fell to Villa who looked odds-on to score only to see his effort deflected behind. Ramos was equally profligate after 78 minutes when he headed over a Xavi centre when unmarked, after Villa had forced another corner.
Spain were looking the more likely winners and it took Sneijder of all people to foil Iniesta with a smart tackle after his jinking run into the box. Yet Robben’s pace was a persistent threat and the Oranje No11 almost embarrassed Puyol in the 82nd minute, speeding clear of the Spain defender when second-favourite to reach a through-ball. Resisting Pique’s attempt to tackle too, he was foiled only by Casillas, the captain saving at Robben’s feet as the Dutchman tried to round him.
Extra time began with opportunities for Spain. Xavi failed to connect when well positioned and when the ball ran to Villa, his shot went wide off an orange shirt. Substitute Fabregas then broke clear on to Iniesta’s through-ball but was foiled by Stekelenburg. Mathijsen headed wide from a corner but like waves, Spanish attacks kept rolling on to the Netherlands back line and Navas was close with a shot deflected into the side-netting.
Fernando Torres replaced Villa midway through the extra period and Spain gained a man advantage four minutes later with Heitinga’s dismissal for pulling back Iniesta on the edge of the box, the offence earning him a second yellow. Iniesta would not be denied, however, and his fine late strike put Spain into the history books and left a Dutch dream shattered.
Netherlands vs Spain
The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final promises to be quite an occasion, with the Netherlands pitting their wits against reigning European champions Spain. Both sides have produced some good football during their campaigns and have been rewarded with the chance to add their nation’s names to the select list of former winners: Uruguay, Italy, Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina and France.
Will it be the Dutch or the Spanish who add their name to the prestigious list of FIFA World Cup winners?
The match
Netherlands-Spain, Final, Soccer City, Sunday 11 July, 20.30 (local time)
As a glance at the head-to-head record between the two nations shows, tipping a winner is no easy task. Both sides have won four of their nine meetings, with the other game ending in a draw. The Oranje have been here before, reaching the Finals at Germany 1974, with Johan Cruyff, and Argentina 1978, without him, and losing to the hosts on both occasions. For Spain, however, this is new territory, although their confidence at rising to the occasion will be high after ending a 44-year trophy drought at UEFA EURO 2008.
The Netherlands’ record at South Africa 2010 could hardly be more impressive: six wins in six games with 12 goals scored and five conceded. For their part Vicente del Bosque’s men have strung together five wins in a row after kicking off with a surprise defeat. But while the Spaniards have found goals hard to come by, scoring just seven in total, they have been far more miserly in defence, letting in just two so far. The winners will also end an old hoodoo, with no European side having ever won the biggest prize in world football outside the old continent.
Players to watch
Wesley Sneijder v David Villa
The leading goalscorers at South Africa 2010, alongside Diego Forlan, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Muller, this in-form pair are in the frame for both the adidas Golden Boot and the adidas Golden Ball. Their goals have been vital to their sides’ respective runs to the Final. Can one of them end the tournament with a winner’s medal and two coveted individual awards? All will soon be revealed.
The stat
8 – Sunday’s game will be the eighth all-European Final. In 19 FIFA World Cup tournaments, Europe has been represented in 16 Finals, a record that includes an unbroken run of 14 going back to Switzerland 1954. Only two showpiece games have been all-South American, with the remaining nine pitching together sides from the competition’s two dominant continents.
What they said
Arjen Robben, Netherlands forward:
I don’t see David Villa as Spain’s most dangerous player. The ones you really have to watch are Xavi [Hernandez] and [Andres] Iniesta. They’re the players who set the tempo and make sure the ball gets to Villa. We have to stop them from playing and getting free. We need to mark them very tightly because if we give them the slightest space we’ll have problems.
Iker Casillas, Spain goalkeeper and captain:
I don’t think they’ll sit back and defend. They’ve got some quick players who are in terrific form right now. They’ll do what we do and stick to their style. I know Robben. He’s quick powerful and strong, and his shooting from outside the area is a concern for me. What we need to do is cut him off, although there’s more to the Netherlands than just Robben. They are powerful in defence and midfield, and [Wesley] Sneijder and [Dirk] Kuyt are just as dangerous.
Have your say
Will it be the Dutch or the Spanish who add their name to the prestigious list of FIFA World Cup winners?
Congratulations Rafael van der Vaart!
Rafael van der Vaart became the first Madridista to reach this year’s World Cup Final with the Netherlands. His Oranje side would face either Spain or Germany in the final on Sunday. And that means he has the chance to fight it out for the mother of all trophies against his Real Madrid team mates Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Raul Albiol. The latter, by the way, is undergoing speedy recovery in order to be fit for the semi-final game against Germany.
Anyhoo, congrats Rafa! You deserve it!
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Netherlands 3-2 Uruguay
The Netherlands will face either Spain or Germany in the Final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ after beating Uruguay by the odd goal in five in the first of the tournament’s semi-finals at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium. Bert van Marwijk’s side were worthy of their victory but were made to work hard for it in an eventful last four encounter punctuated by excellent goals from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Diego Forlan, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Maximiliano Pereira.
Oranje edge five-goal thriller
Having gone into this match on a record 24-match unbeaten streak, the Dutch started as favourites, and it was a tag they would justify during an entertaining first half. Van Marwijk’s side certainly began in positive fashion, with Robben darting beyond his marker at the first opportunity inside four minutes. Sneijder profited from his former Real Madrid team-mate’s dynamism, curling in a right-foot cross that, following an unconvincing punch from Fernando Muslera, was hurriedly controlled and volleyed just over by the lively Dirk Kuyt.
It was an early moment of concern for La Celeste, but they recovered admirably and, with the pace of the game dropping, looked to be comfortably holding the Oranje at bay. With the Dutch threat minimal, the Uruguayan defenders would have been forgiven for not sensing any immediate danger when Van Bronckhorst picked up the ball over 30 yards from goal, close to the left touchline. Yet it was from this seemingly unthreatening position that the Dutch captain unleashed a stunning left-foot shot that Muslera, despite applying a despairing touch, could only divert into the top corner via the inside of the post.
It was a magnificent strike, a cast-iron contender for goal of the tournament, and it gave the Netherlands an advantage they continued to prove worthy of as the half progressed. However, the Dutch were not the only team capable of conjuring a goal out of nothing, with Forlan providing an equally unexpected equaliser four minutes before the break.
Uruguay’s captain for the night had hitherto been relatively subdued, but the Dutch defence made the mistake of affording him too much space 25 yards from goal – and were ruthlessly punished. Shaping to spread the ball wide, Forlan instead turned inside on his left foot and curled in a superb left-foot shot that, thanks partly to a slight deflection off the head of John Heitinga, deceived the wrong-footed Maarten Stekelenburg.
Uruguay started the second half with something to build on, therefore, and they looked the more threatening of the two sides early on, with Van Bronckhorst forced to head off the line from a Pereira effort and Stekelenburg parrying clear a goal-bound Forlan free-kick.
The Dutch were unruffled, however, and their patient probing at the other end almost paid dividends when Robin van Persie’s intelligent reverse pass teed up substitute Rafael van der Vaart for a shot from the left-hand edge of the box. With the strike accurate and firmly struck, Muslera could only parry clear, but Robben proved unable to gobble up the rebound, blazing over from an acute angle.
Denied on this occasion, the Dutch moved in front a couple of minutes later, as Sneijder scored his fifth goal of the tournament, again benefiting from a telling deflection, this time off the thigh of Pereira, that sent his 20-yard shot spinning past Muslera. Uruguay needed a response, and quickly, but with 17 minutes remaining their hopes were all but ended when Robben doubled the Netherlands’ advantage.
A terrific goal it was too, with the Dutch winger sneaking in unnoticed to bullet a textbook header in off the base of the left-hand post from a measured Kuyt cross. Pereira did score an equally excellent consolation, converting expertly with a curling left-foot shot from a quickly-taken free-kick, but this injury-time effort was to prove too little, too late for the last of the non-European representatives.
Netherlands vs Uruguay
The prospect of a Uruguay versus Netherlands semi-final was scarcely mentioned in the long build-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, yet these are the teams who meet in the last four on Tuesday evening in Cape Town. Both are there on merit too, as they have performed consistently well from the first day, defended resolutely, and taken their chances efficiently at the other end. The winners go forward to the Final, while the consolation prize for the losers is the third-place play-off.
The Netherlands have contested the FIFA World Cup Final twice in the past. Will all good things come in threes – at Uruguay’s expense?
The game
Uruguay-Netherlands, semi-final, Cape Town, Tuesday 6 July, 20.30 (local time)
After the drama and tension of their penalty shoot-out victory over Ghana in the quarter-finals, Uruguay are in the last four at the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 40 years. La Celeste fell 3-1 to eventual winners Brazil at Mexico 1970, and went on to finish fourth. The Netherlands, who staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat five-time winners Brazil in the last eight, previously fought through to the semis in 1974, 1978 and 1998.
The teams’ solitary previous meeting at the FIFA World Cup came in the 1974 tournament. Johnny Rep fired a brace as the celebrated Dutch ensemble spearheaded by the great Johan Cruyff won the group stage encounter 2-0. The Uruguay squad that day included defender Pablo Forlan, father of current La Celeste marksman Diego Forlan.
Ahead of Tuesday’s clash, Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez and Netherlands supremo Bert van Marwijk are both mulling over enforced changes to their winning teams. For the South Americans, Jorge Fucile and Luis Suarez are suspended, and captain Diego Lugano is rated very doubtful with bruising and a stretched knee ligament. Young Nicolas Lodeiro will play no further part in South Africa after breaking a foot. For the Dutch, Van Marwijk is without suspended pair Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong.
Players to watch
Diego Forlan (URU) v Wesley Sneijder (NED)
Our two players to watch may not cross paths that often on the field of play, but the spotlight still falls on the respective teams’ leading scorers. Forlan shares top spot in the Celeste goalscoring list with Suarez, but the latter can only watch from the stands after his red card against Ghana. The task of piercing the Dutch defence thus falls fairly and squarely to Forlan, now up to 27 goals for his country, and whose three strikes at the current tournament have all come against African sides.
His Netherlands counterpart Sneijder also has four goals, and rates as an equally creative orchestrator of the Oranje’s versatile forward line. The world already knew all about Sneijder’s flawless technique and visionary passing, but his lethal finishing has taken many people by surprise.
The stat
100 – No-one can fail to be impressed by the Netherlands’ current run of form. Since the start of 2010, Van Marwijk’s men boast a 100 per cent record, with nine wins in nine matches, extending their unbeaten run to 24 games. Uruguay are themselves unbeaten in nine, winning five and drawing two of their seven games in 2010, giving them a win ratio of 77.7 per cent.
What they said
Bert Van Marwijk, Netherlands coach:
It will be a very dangerous match. The euphoria at home is massive at the moment and maybe it’s good that we’re so far away and can’t witness it. We really need to concentrate on Uruguay and that won’t be easy. They didn’t reach the semi final for nothing, so we have to really focus again and not think that we’re already there.
Oscar Tabarez, Uruguay coach:
Holland are tough opponents. They’ve not lost for almost two years. This generation is a little different to the traditional Holland – they are a very balanced side. At the back they give nothing away, they link well in midfield, and up front, they have hard-running, technically capable players like Van Bommel, Sneijder and Robben. They’re always on the front foot, looking to attack. It’ll be very difficult – but not impossible.
Have Your Say
The Netherlands have contested the FIFA World Cup Final twice in the past. Will all good things come in threes – at Uruguay’s expense?
Netherlands 2-1 Brazil
The Netherlands came from behind to break Brazilian hearts and take a huge step towards a third FIFA World Cup™ final appearance. Trailing at half-time to Robinho’s early goal in Port Elizabeth, Bert van Marwijk’s men drew level through Felipe Melo’s own goal before Wesley Sneijder headed the winner with 22 minutes remaining. Brazil ended the game a man short after Felipe Melo’s dismissal as, like in Germany four years ago, the South Americans, unbeaten since last October, saw their dream of a sixth world crown dismantled at the quarter-final stage.
Dutch fightback buries Brazil
For the Dutch, this was their fifth straight win at these finals and leaves them one victory short of a first Final appearance since they finished runners-up twice in the 1970s. They will travel to Tuesday’s Cape Town semi-final against Uruguay or Ghana as favourites despite the suspensions of Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong. History will be on their side too, given the winners of their three previous FIFA World Cup meetings with Brazil marched on to the Final each time.
Yet it was not the Dutch, but Brazil who looked likely to prevail in the first 45 minutes. Robinho had already had one effort ruled offside when he broke the deadlock in the tenth minute. Advancing unchecked from inside his own half, Felipe Melo played a ball straight through the centre of the Dutch defence from the halfway line. Robinho, free of his marker Van der Wiel and played onside by Ooijer, was in the clear and he tucked a first-time finish beyond Maarten Stekelenburg.
The Dutch sought an immediate reply when Kuyt tested Julio Cesar with a low drive but Brazil were carrying the greater threat and, after 25 minutes, they came close to a second. From a half-cleared corner, Dani Alves, out on the right, drove in a low cross and Juan got there first only to shoot over from close range. Robinho then wriggled away from two orange shirts on the left, gave the ball to Luis Fabiano and his flick set up Kaka whose curling shot was bound for the top corner before Stekelenburg reached out his right arm to palm the ball away.
The teams’ 1994 quarter-final, won by Brazil, produced five second-half goals and this game grew as a contest after the restart. Second-best in the first half, the Dutch drew level in the 53rd minute. Sneijder had already miscued an attempted volley when, following a short free-kick with Robben, the Inter midfielder swung in a cross from out on the right. Julio Cesar and Felipe Melo got in each other’s way with the midfielder unwittingly flicking the ball on into the net.
Michel Bastos, booked before the break and under pressure from Robben, now made way for Gilberto Melo but Brazil’s self-assurance was fading. Although Kaka guided a volley just past the post, the Dutch soon had their second goal. It came from the head of Sneijder who profited from slack marking in the six-yard box to nod home his third goal of the finals after Kuyt had flicked on Robben’s corner. Brazil’s prospects dimmed further with 17 minutes remaining with Felipe Melo’s red card for a stamp on Robben, now a constant nuisance to the South Americans. In a frantic finish it might have got even worse for Dunga’s men but Sneijder scuffed his shot straight at Julio Cesar.
Netherlands vs Brazil
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will play host on Friday to a mouth-watering clash between two pre-2010 FIFA World Cup™ favourites in the Netherlands and Brazil, two sides who have so far exhibited a lethal brand of swift, counter-attacking football. The pair are yet to taste defeat at the finals so far, having topped their sections and come through their respective Round of 16 ties to confirm the fine form shown in finishing first in their continental qualifying groups. But something has to give on Friday with one of these big names set to fall short of reaching the last four.
In the teams’ two most recent FIFA World Cup meetings, in 1994 and 1998, Brazil knocked out the Netherlands. Will Dunga's Seleção make it three in a row on Friday?
The match
Netherlands-Brazil, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, 2 July, 16.00
Both A Seleção and the Oranje hit the ground running here at the first FIFA World Cup on African soil, sealing berths in the last 16 with a game to spare. Having gone on to seal first place in Group G and Group E respectively, Brazil eased to a 3-0 win over Chile in their first knock-out tie while the Dutch were made to sweat in ousting Slovakia 2-1.
While the duo have met only three times on the biggest stage of all, these games have invariably been decisive. Indeed, at the 1974 finals a 2-0 victory for Johan Cruyff and Co sent reigning champions Brazil heading for the exit, while it was A Verde e Amarelo’s turn to knock out the Dutch at the quarter-final and semi-final stage of the 1994 and 1998 editions. Traditionally known for their open, attacking and adventurous football, both countries’ classes of 2010 are cut from a very different cloth. Both Dunga and Bert van Marwijk’s charges share many similar traits, both preferring to soak up opponents’ pressure before breaking quickly and clinically via a clutch of fast and technically gifted attackers. Be that as it may, a game featuring world-class talents such as Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie is unlikely to be anything but fascinating.
Players to watch
Arjen Robben versus Kaka
The Netherlands and Brazil both went into South Africa 2010 with doubts surrounding the fitness of their leading men. Robben picked up an injury in a warm-up game against Hungary and Kaka was plagued by groin problems throughout his first season at Real Madrid – the club Robben left in summer 2009 to join Bayern Munich. The Brazilian No10 has gone on to provide three assists in three appearances at South Africa 2010, while the Dutch wing wizard marked his first start of the finals with the opening goal against Slovakia.
The stat
33 — The combined number of the games the two sides have gone unbeaten. The Oranje are on a sequence of 23 matches without defeat since a friendly reverse to Australia in September 2008, while Brazil have amassed ten games without a loss since a much-changed and already qualified Seleção lost a South Africa 2010 qualifier against Bolivia in La Paz in October 2009.
What they said
Bert van Marwijk, Netherlands coach:
Taking on Brazil is a tremendous challenge for us, but we’re staying focused on achieving our objective, which is the world title. The Brazilians have a mature and solid team, who give off a positive type of arrogance: an air of invincibility. For the first time, the Netherlands are going into a game as underdogs.
Juan, Brazil defender:
It’s hard for Brazil or the Netherlands to sit back. They play a similar game to us: they like to take the initiative. Quarter-final games are always very cagey and sometimes get bogged down. We’ll be trying to score a goal in the first half so we can play with a bit more freedom.
Have your say
In the teams’ two most recent FIFA World Cup meetings, in 1994 and 1998, Brazil knocked out the Netherlands. Will Dunga’s Seleção make it three in a row on Friday?
Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia
Slovakia’s fairy-tale run came to an end at Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium on Monday, with Arjen Robben returning to the starting line-up and helping fire the organised Oranje into the quarter-finals with the first goal in a 2-1 win. As the only debutants at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ head for home with their heads held high, the Dutch – who have never before won their first four matches at the finals – can now start preparing for a last-16 test against either Brazil or Chile in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
Returning Robben helps sink Slovakia
Vladimir Weiss’s Slovakia were not overawed by their fancied opponents in the early going. Erik Jendrisek fired over the bar from a decent position after only two minutes, though if that was an intended warning shot, the Dutch – with nine points from their three games so far – are not a team that rattle easily. Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder both had good chances to score subsequently before Robben, in his first start at these finals, made his mark on the match. Chasing a long ball up from midfield, the Bayern Munich winger outpaced Radoslav Zabavnik up the wide-right channel, cut inside and fired low inside the near post, beating goalkeeper Jan Mucha who might have done better. It was only the second first-half goal scored by the Netherlands in South Africa.
Arsenal ace Van Persie had the next chances as the break approached. He surprised the Slovakia defence in the 41st minute but, after cutting in from the left, could only muster a tame toe-poke at Mucha. With just seconds to go before half-time, he then stole in behind the backline but failed to control Mark van Bommel’s low cross, that was whipped in through the six-yard box. Robben was in the mood again when the second period got underway. After Van Persie dragged the Slovakia defence out of position, the ball fell kindly for the former Chelsea man, who wriggled inside the area only for his sizzling low shot to be thwarted by Mucha’s fingertips. The goalkeeper was called into action again from the resulting corner, bravely blocking a Joris Mathijsen effort from close range.
Suddenly, Slovakia – who shifted into a more attacking 4-4-2 for the second half – came to life in the 67th minute. Marek Hamsik pushed the ball out wide for Dutch-based striker Miroslav Stoch, but his shot was tipped over for a corner. Robert Vittek was then guilty of missing a glorious chance only seconds later. Collecting the ball in acres of space and with bags of time, he shot directly into the palms of Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg to groans from the section of the crowd not dressed in orange.
The Dutch continued to push forward in search of another goal and with six minutes to go, and the withdrawn Robben now on the bench, Dirk Kuyt chased down a long ball and crossed low for Sneijder. The Inter Milan man made no mistake with the goal at his mercy and calmly bulged the back of the net. Even though Vittek managed a consolation goal for the Slovaks in the dying seconds of stoppage time – netting from the penalty spot after Stekelenburg had brought him down – it was too late to signal a change of fortune. The Dutch now march on to meet either Brazil or Chile, who contest their Round of 16 contest at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park later in the evening.
Netherlands vs Slovakia
The Round of 16 game between the Netherlands and Slovakia pits one of the tournament favourites against a nation making its first FIFA World Cup™ appearance in its own right. Despite the obvious contrast between the star-studded Oranje and their lesser-known but close-knit rivals, it promises to be a fascinating duel.
Are Slovakia capable of creating another upset?
The match
Netherlands-Slovakia, Round of 16, Durban Stadium, Durban, 16:00 (local time)
In contrast to a number of Europe’s other big guns, the Oranje managed to assert their authority in their section, Group E, in which they were never seriously troubled. After beating Denmark 2-0 in their opener, they defeated Japan 1-0 to secure their berth in the Round of 16 before taking on an already-eliminated Cameroon in their first-phase fixture. Coach Bert van Marwijk used the occasion to run the rule over some of some of his squad players, and still came out 2-1 winners. The Netherlands’ strength in depth, along with the return to fitness of stand-out winger Arjen Robben, suggests the team are strong title contenders, though they will not be underestimating opponents that have already created one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far by undoing Italy.
For their part, Slovakia took some time to find top gear, but when they did it proved too much for the reigning world champions. The central Europeans showed their inexperience at this level in allowing New Zealand to secure a late equaliser in their opening fixture, and then were outplayed in a 2-0 reverse by Paraguay. However, they upset the form book with a gritty and skilled display to secure a memorable 3-2 win that put Italy out of the FIFA World Cup.
Players to watch
Miroslav Stoch v Gregory van der Wiel
Expect sparks to fly when the pair renew aquaintances here in the Round of 16. Miroslav Stoch, an attacking midfielder who spent last year on loan from Chelsea with Dutch champions Twente, will find himself facing Gregory van der Wiel, right-back of Ajax. A fascinating duel awaits between these two fine prospects.
The stat
1 – The meeting between the Netherlands and Slovakia is the first since the central European nation became an independent country. However, the Oranje faced the former Czechoslovakia once before at a FIFA World Cup, losing 3-0 after extra time at France 1938.
What they said
Robin van Persie, Netherlands forward:
We expect a difficult game against Slovakia. They showed a lot of character against the Italians and were rewarded with a famous victory. Everything’s fine from our point of view, but there are a just a few things here and there that we need to put right.
Robert Vittek, Slovakia forward:
I hope we’re capable of producing another performance like the one against Italy. I believe we can give any team something to think about. But obviously the Dutch are favourites, not just for this game but for the whole tournament.
The question
Are Slovakia capable of creating another upset?
Netherlands 2-1 Cameroon
Arjen Robben came off the bench to help the Netherlands secure a 2-1 victory over Cameroon that seals top spot in Group E and sets up a last-16 date with Slovakia. Robin van Persie and Klaas Jan Huntelaar were on target either side of a Samuel Eto’o penalty at Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium as Bert van Marwijk’s Oranje preserved their unblemished record at South Africa 2010.
Robben returns as Dutch stay perfect
With the Dutch already through and the Indomitable Lions consigned to elimination, some might have expected a game lacking in passion and excitement. As it was, any fears of an under-strength Netherlands side facing an unmotivated Cameroon proved groundless, with both coaches sending out their strongest XIs in front of a noisy capacity crowd.
The Indomitable Lions were the first to threaten, with Aurelien Chedjou twisting into space 25 yards from goal and forcing a solid save from Maarten Stekelenburg after just three minutes. However, Cameroon’s early promise steadily diminished and, with 19 minutes played, the Netherlands should have moved in front.
Captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst split the Cameroon central defenders with a terrific lofted pass for Van Persie, but although the Dutch No9 controlled well on his chest, he fired in a tame volley on his weaker foot that Hamidou Souleymanou was able to gather comfortably. But the Dutch were getting closer, and after Souleymanou had again been called upon to deal with Rafael van der Vaart’s curling free-kick, the unmarked Dirk Kuyt drilled a right-foot effort wide of the far post when he should really have hit the target.
The Liverpool striker made amends five minutes later, however, when he was involved in a slick interchange on the right flank with Van der Vaart and Van Persie that ended with the latter being threaded through on goal. Again, the chance fell to his right foot, but this time the Arsenal striker was deadly, coolly slipping the ball between the legs of the advancing Souleymanou.
The goal was Van Persie’s first at South Africa 2010, and he might have doubled his tally five minutes into the second half after his pace and powerful running took him clear of the Cameroon defence. This time though, he was not able to outfox the keeper, with Souleymanou saving well from his powerfully-struck shot.
Van Persie made way for Huntelaar soon after and this change coincided with a switch in the balance of power, as Cameroon took control. First, Samuel Eto’o was denied by an excellent saving challenge from Joris Mathijsen, then Landry Nguemo side-footed just wide and, finally, with the best chance of the three, Stekelenburg saved from Jean Makoun’s unconvincing effort.
Frustrated from open play, Cameroon finally made the breakthrough from the penalty spot, Eto’o placing an inch-perfect spot-kick high to Stekelenburg’s right after Van der Vaart had handled inside the area. However, Van Marwijk still had a trump card to play in Robben, and after being introduced for his first taste of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, the Bayern Munich winger provided the inspiration for his side’s winning goal.
In a typical display of skill and directness, Robben drove inside from the right, beyond Cameroon substitute Rigobert Song and curled a superb effort against the inside of the post. Fortunately for the Dutch, the ball rebounded fortuitously to another substitute, Huntelaar, and with Souleymanou stranded, the AC Milan striker made no mistake with a perfectly placed right-foot shot.
Netherlands vs Cameroon
Thursday 24 June was supposed to be the day on which Group E was decided – but only one fixture will be of relevance to qualification in this section. With the Netherlands having already booked their place in the knockout stages, the battle will now be between Japan and Denmark to join them in the last 16.
Can Cameroon salvage some pride against a Dutch side that is on the rampage?
In Cape Town, meanwhile, Cameroon, who have already crashed out of the competition after back-to-back defeats, will take on the Dutch in a match that, despite the lack of tension, promises much in the way of entertainment.
The game
Netherlands-Cameroon, Green Point Stadium, Thursday 24 June, 20:30 (local time)
The Indomitable Lions will be out to erase memories of what has been a below-par performance at South Africa 2010. While the Indomitable Lions will feel they have let themselves down considering the quality they have in their squad, this match with the Netherlands offers them the opportunity to go out on a high. The postmortem will surely follow once they return home, but for now there is a chance to address some of the failures that have beset their campaign, spefically an inability to finish chances.
However, in the Oranje corner stands an impressive Netherlands side still boasting an umblemished record at this event. With his side already through, Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk will surely be tempted to ring the changes in an effort to test the depth of his squad in preparation for what he hopes will be a long FIFA World Cup campaign. Alternatively, he may opt to field a full-strength side to maintain continuity and reaffirm his team’s status among the early favourites. It is also possible that Van Mariwjk will use the match to test the fitness of winger Arjen Robben, who has thus far been sidelined by injury.
Key battle
Dirk Kuyt vs Benoit Assou-Ekotto
The Dutch have built their game around attack and speed while relying on solid defenders. They certainly have a bunch of attacking-minded stars capable of ambushing any opponents, including Wesley Sneijder, Robin van Persie and Robben to name just a few. However, another figure and a man who is a seasoned campaigner in this Dutch side is Dirk Kuyt. The Liverpool forward has been one of the unsung heroes of this Netherlands side. Despite a trying season at club level, Kuyt has been on top form at this FIFA World Cup, scoring a late goal against Denmark.
Ailing Cameroon, to their credit, have always attempted to play offensively, even though there has been little coherence in their play. One one of their more impressive players has been 26-year-old Tottenham player, Assou-Ekotto at left back. Solid in defence, he is also one of the Idomitable Lions’ most potent attacking weapons.
The stat
2 – the number of times the two sides have met before. Netherlands won the last encounter 1-0 in 2006. Before that, they had played out a scoreless draw in 1998. Both matches were international friendlies.
The players words
Cameroon coach, Paul Le Guen:
We have to keep on going, stay professional until the end, prepare the practice sessions for the game against the Netherlands. It’s not a friendly game, it’s a World Cup game and we have to respect the Cameroonian people and the competition itself, all the spectators and TV viewers as well.
Netherlands coach, Bert van Marwijk:
I take the match against Cameroon very seriously because it is in that match that the team has to show what they have learned. And we want to improve in every match and it is important for the players to know exactly what is asked of them in every position. Therefore, the match against Cameroon is also a match in which we have to improve ourselves. So I take it very seriously in many aspects.
Have your say
Can Cameroon salvage some pride against a Dutch side that is on the rampage?
Netherlands 1-0 Japan
The Oranje carnival rolled noisily into Durban on 19 June, but Bert van Marwijk’s Netherlands team were forced to endure a tricky test against a disciplined Japanese outfit, the only goal of the game coming from Wesley Sneijder shortly after the break. Despite not having things their own way at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Dutch – still without injured winger Arjen Robben – will nevertheless be thrilled with their six points from two games and a spot at the top of Group E.
Sneijder sees Dutch past Japan
The first half was a cagey affair, hardly matching the raucous energy and vibrant carnival up in the stands on a sun-soaked day. Japan, with ten men behind the ball for the vast majority of the opening 45 minutes, invited the Dutch to boss the possession and push forward. Yet there were precious few real chances as the Netherlands struggled to find holes in the packed opposition rearguard. Wesley Sneijder’s free-kick in the ninth minute soared harmlessly over Eiji Kawashima’s crossbar and seconds later Dirk Kuyt tried an audacious bicycle kick from close in, well blocked by a defender.
With Takeshi Okada’s men looking to threaten on the break, the Dutch appeared reluctant to commit themselves fully forward. The result was an opening stanza that produced only two shots on goal, the first from Daisuke Matsui seven minutes before the break, as the Blue Samurai began to sharpen their blades late in the half. Rafael van der Vaart added the other in stoppage time, but it hardly had Kawashima worried. The second half began with a greater sense of purpose. With only seconds gone Robin van Persie’s snapped header had Kawashima scrambling to smother and the Arsenal forward then raced into the box to volley towards goal from a long ball up from Mark van Bommel. Unfortunately, he could only steer the ball wide of the mark.
Dutch pressure was beginning to mount, and the roar the crowd were waiting to unleash came in the 53rd minute, Sneijder – the Inter Milan danger-man – supplying the bullet. After Marcus Tulio Tanaka failed to deal with a cross from the left, Van Persie laid the ball off on the edge of the box and Sneijder, always looking the likely goal-getter, slammed in a shot that Kawashima, diving to his right, got a hand to but could only help on its way into the net.
Okada’s men were forced to come out of their shell after the setback, pushing forward into attack and putting pressure on a Dutch defence that had hardly had a thing to do up to that point. Japan’s coach shuffled his pack just after the hour, bringing former Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura into the fray while Van Marwijk sent on Eljero Elia ten minutes later. A further two attacking substitutes came on for Japan – strikers Keiji Tamada and Shinji Ozakazi – with a quarter-hour to go, and the latter nearly drew his team level on the stroke of full time, only to fire over the bar from close range to a groan from the blue section of the crowd.
The Netherlands, with maximum points from their first two games, next play Cameroon on 24 June in Cape Town, while Japan will look to recover from this reverse when they finish their Group E programme in Rustenburg on the same day against Denmark.
Netherlands vs Japan
Saturday brings a top-of-the-table clash in Group E as leaders Netherlands lock horns with a Japan side just one goal behind in second place. On the back of their spirited 1-0 win over Cameroon in their opening match, the Blue Samurai enter their second outing aiming to surprise their highly-rated rivals.
Can Japan become the first Asian team to beat the Netherlands?
The match
Netherlands-Japan, Group E, Durban Stadium, Saturday 19 June, 13.30 (local time)
These two sides are meeting for the second time in just 10 months, having squared off in a friendly last September, when the Netherlands recorded a 3-0 victory. The Oranje appear to have an Indian sign over Asian sides, having won seven and drawn one of their eight match-ups against teams from the world’s most populous continent. Takeshi Okada’s charges will be hopeful of denting this record, but there is no doubt that Bert van Marwijk’s team will start as strong favourites.
Both sides made light work of qualifying, with Netherlands the first team to join hosts South Africa at the FIFA World Cup, and Japan booking their fourth consecutive appearance with two games to spare. The Dutch continued this rampant form in the build-up, rounding off their preparations with four wins, including a 6-1 mauling of Hungary. Japan, on the other hand, arrived in the Rainbow Nation on the back of three friendly losses.
With star winger Arjen Robben ruled out of the first game due to injury, Van Marwijk’s side still managed a comfortable 2-0 success against Denmark. Okada also left out one of his stars, Shunsuke Nakamura, and pushed Keisuke Honda up front, a decision that was fully vindicated by a hard-fought opening win.
Players to watch
Wesley Sneijder v Keisuke Honda
After inspiring his side to victory over the Danes, Sneijder has further underlined his status as the conductor of the Oranje orchestra. The Inter Milan midfielder also played a pivotal role in their 3-0 friendly win over the Japanese, and his vision and precise passing will continue to cause headaches for the Asians. Honda, meanwhile, is thriving in his new attacking role and grabbed his team’s all-important goal against Cameroon. Having spent two full seasons with VVV-Venlo, he will hope to utilise his knowledge of Dutch football to good effect against Japan’s highly-fancied opponents.
The stat
10 – Netherlands have run riot in their previous three meetings with Asian sides, scoring a total of 10 goals, with the highlight a 5-0 dismantling of Korea Republic at France 1998.
What they said
Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands midfielder:
The Japan game won’t be easy as they play a good style of football, running a lot and combining well. In our last meeting they put us under pressure for an hour but eventually we won. The second match is crucial for both sides and we will go all out to win.
Daisuke Matsui, Japan midfielder:
The Netherlands test is important for us if we are to get through the group phase. We lost our last meeting with them, so we are motivated to win this time around. It remains to be seen whether we can get a good result but we won’t give up without a fight.
The question
Can Japan become the first Asian team to beat the Netherlands?
Netherlands 2-0 Denmark
A Daniel Agger own goal and Dirk Kuyt’s late winner earned the Netherlands a deserved 2-0 win over Denmark at Johannesburg’s Soccer City as the Dutch took an early lead in Group E and stretched their long unbeaten run.
Danes no match for Dutch
Oranje coach Bert van Marwijk had sprung a pre-match surprise with the inclusion of Arjen Robben as a substitute and the early stages could certainly have done with the Bayern Munich winger’s pace and trickery. With Soccer City bathed in afternoon sunshine, the players took some time to establish the expected tempo, and the best efforts of a tight opening 20 minutes came through two hugely ambitious and off-target free-kicks from Wesley Sneijder and Thomas Enevoldsen.
Neither side were doing themselves justice at this stage but, of the two, it was the Netherlands who were displaying the greater attacking intent, with Rafael van der Vaart proving a lively deputy for the sidelined Robben. Twice in as many minutes midway through the half, the Real Madrid midfielder turned neatly on the edge of the box to fashion scoring opportunities, but on each occasion was unable to find the target.
Thomas Sorensen, fit again after suffering a dislocated elbow, endured a heart-stopping moment shortly after when he fumbled a tame-looking Dirk Kuyt shot only to recover the ball at the second attempt. The Dutch would have been worthy of a goal at this stage, but their failure to convert territorial dominance into goals threatened to cost them dearly as half-time approached.
The warning signs had been there when, with 28 minutes played, Nicklas Bendtner found space at the back post to head wastefully wide from a measured Dennis Rommedahl cross. Rommedahl himself tried his luck soon after, firing straight at Maarten Stekelenburg at the end of a lightning Danish break, while Thomas Kahlenberg provided the best effort of the half with a flashing left-foot shot that forced a terrific save from the Dutch No1.
However, it is not for nothing that Van Marwijk’s side came into this match on a record 19-match unbeaten sequence, and they took a deserved lead within a minute of the second half commencing. Robin van Persie was the goal’s architect, beating Sorensen to a through ball before curling over an inviting cross which Simon Poulsen, in his attempts to clear, headed across goal, but crucially against the back of Agger and into the net.
The Danes nearly self-destructed again four minutes later when a misplaced pass allowed Van Persie a clear sight of goal, but the Arsenal forward hesitated and Sorensen smothered bravely. Van der Vaart then came close an early contender for goal of the tournament with an audacious flick matched only in quality by Sorensen’s agile save, while Sneijder rattled the crossbar with a deflected 25-yard shot.
The Dutch were not to be denied, however, and their continued superiority was rewarded with five minutes remaining when Dirk Kuyt slotted home from close range after substitute Eljero Elia’s initial effort had struck the post. The bounce of the ball had again favoured the Oranje, but there could be no Danish complaints about a result that is sure to enhance their Group E rivals’ standing as genuine FIFA World Cup™ contenders.
Netherlands vs Denmark
Not for the first time at a major tournament, the Netherlands go into the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ among the favourites, though the Oranje have to kick off their Group E campaign against a tough-looking Denmark side on 14 June. Having so often boasted a world-class squad, only to fail to fulfill their potential due to internal squabbles or over-confidence, will the Dutch contingent get it right this time?
The question Can the outsiders rediscover the spirit of Danish Dynamite and bring the Netherlands’ lengthy unbeaten run to an end? Or will Rommedahl’s dismissal of the Dutch’s chances come back to haunt him?
The match
Netherlands-Denmark, Group E, Johannesburg, Monday 14 June, 13:30 (local time)
The Netherlands may have the edge on Denmark in terms of big-name performers, but the two sides’ head-to-head record makes for interesting reading. The pair boast two wins apiece from five competitive matches, the Dutch scoring ten goals to the Danes’ nine, while each tasted success in the 1988 and 1992 editions of the UEFA European Championship respectively.
The teams also share a lengthy list of injury concerns, with Danish Dynamite boss Morten Olsen, himself has laid low by flu for several days, having to do without key striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin strain) and facing doubts over keeper Thomas Sorensen (elbow) and defenders Simon Kjaer (knee) and Patrick Mtiliga (thigh). His Dutch opposite number Bert van Marwijk will be unable to call on Bayern winger Arjen Robben, who has a hamstring injury, although he does have a top-class replacement available in Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.
On top of his walking wounded, Danish coach Olsen will also be concerned about 1-0 warm-up defeats by Australia and host nation South Africa on June 1 and June 4 respectively, though the Danes did sink Senegal 2-0 on May 27. The Dutch, for their part, have not been beaten since a September 2008 friendly reverse against the Socceroos, though should hold few surprises for their opponents. Indeed, five Denmark players ply their trade in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie and another four share a dressing room with Dutch players at their Premier League clubs.
Players to watch
Daniel Agger v Robin van Persie
The two players experienced mixed fortunes in English football this campaign, with Daniel Agger a solid presence for Liverpool despite the Reds ending a disappointing season down in seventh spot. Meanwhile, Van Persie’s lengthy injury absence was undoubtedly a key factor in Arsenal’s inability to finish higher than third.
It was the Gunners who won the clubs’ head-to-head meetings in 2009/10, 2-1 at Anfield and 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium, though Van Persie missed both of those games. More relevant, therefore, is the fact that the quicksilver Dutch striker scored the last time the two players faced off, in a 1-1 draw in December 2008.
The stat
19 – Van Marwijk’s side come into South Africa 2010 on the back of a record unbeaten run of 19 games, beating their previous mark of 17 set between 2001 and 2003.
What they said
Bert van Marwijk, Netherlands coach:
We have a special kind of arrogance that is one of our strengths. But we shouldn’t let it go too far, otherwise it can become a handicap and we become careless. And when arrogance leads you try to humiliate the opposition, they’ll definitely kick back against it. Right from day one I’ve been trying to get that through to the players.
Dennis Rommedahl, Denmark winger:
I don’t regard the Netherlands as among the World Cup favourites. They often start off strongly and then suddenly lose a crucial game and crash out. That can always happen when they play a well-organised side, which this time could be Denmark. They are missing their most in-form player, Arjen Robben, and they’re not as strong at the back (as they are going forward).
The question
Can the outsiders rediscover the spirit of Danish Dynamite and bring the Netherlands’ lengthy unbeaten run to an end? Or will Rommedahl’s dismissal of the Dutch’s chances come back to haunt him?
International Friendlies | Madridistas round up
Oman 0-2 Brazil
Brazil won their second friendly in the Gulf with a 2-0 win over Oman at Muscat Stadium here on Tuesday.
Having beaten England 1-0 in Qatar on Saturday, Nilmar opened the scoring for the Brazilians here in the fourth minute, following up on a Luis Fabiano strike parried away by veteran Omani goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi. Nilmar had a second denied just six minutes later, showing the form that has seen him score six of his country’s last seven goals: three against Chile, and one each against Bolivia, England and now Oman.
Brazil’s second, however, came from an own goal, defender Hasan al-Ghailani heading a Michel Bastos cross into his own net in the 61st minute. The win saw Brazil well back to winning ways after a 2-1 reverse against Bolivia and a 0-0 draw with Venezuela in qualifiers for next year’s FIFA World Cup™ had broken a stretch of 11 victories.
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The demise of the O.C.
Real Madrid’s Oranje County seems to be drying out. In the summer we sold three out of the six we had. Huntelaar moved to Milan after just 5 months in Madrid. Sneijder moved to the other Milan, Inter Milan as they call it and Robben was transferred to Bayern both against their will. We are now left with R.R.Drenthe, Rutegrus van Nistelrooy and Rafael van der Vaart (and Sylvie of course). But for how long?
By the looks of it we might be losing at least two of them if not all come January. The first casualty is likely to be the young and energetic (but kind of useless) Royston Drenthe. Rumor has it that Real are looking for reinforcements for the left back positions which is currently being occupied by Marcelo and Arbeloa. Juan Manuel Vargas of Fiorentina is one of the main contenders. Buying Vargas or any other defender would only mean selling Drenthe. Marcelo is proving to be useful further down the left wing with his attacking prowess improving day by day. So that makes it one more Dutch bloke down. Or another buy-out-clause??
The second casualty is likely to be Ruud van Nistelrooy. The player has paved the way for a return to the Premier League by admitting that he will leave Real Madrid if he does not play for the Spanish club between now and the January transfer window. The striker believes that he has to get minutes if he is to claim a place in the Holland squad for the World Cup.
I want to play. I still haven’t spoken to Manuel Pellegrini because I’m still recovering but when I am ready I will speak to him. If I do not get minutes, that will give me a reason to leave in January.
My intention is to play at the World Cup with Holland. If I do not play, that will be impossible because I need to be able to prove that I can still play at the level I did a few months ago. That said, right now I do not have any club.
But it wasn’t long before that he said that he is confident that he can recapture his best form for Real Madrid after finally shaking off his fitness problems.
With a buy-back clause on Alvaro Negredo hanging in the background and with Higuain, Benzema and Ronaldo for competition it is highly unlikely that he will remain in Real for long.The question is whether he will leave in January or leave a day before his 34th birthday when his contract expires. Only time can answer.
Tottenham Hotspur are reported to have shown an interest in the 33-year-old, who scored 95 goals in 150 appearances for United before joining Real in 2006 where has scored 46 in 68.
International Friendlies | Madridistas round up
Brazil 1-0 England (International Friendly)
Wayne Rooney’s first game as England captain ended in defeat as a severely depleted side were beaten by five-time world champions Brazil in Qatar.
Fabio Capello’s side fell victim to a goal early in the second period from Nilmar to leave England still without a win in eight matches on neutral territory against the Brazilians. Fabiano also missed a penalty for Brazil, who unsurprisingly dominated possession.
They were aided by an England midfield which gave the ball away far too easily and consequently the front two of Rooney and Darren Bent were starved of any worthwhile service. But this was no vintage performance by Brazil and their trickery was largely confined to in front of the back four and goalkeeper Ben Foster, apart from an impressive spell after the break.
Capello will now have four months to reflect on how many of his fringe players pushed their claims to be part of his World Cup plans before the next international in early March. Only Aston Villa winger James Milner, who was making his full debut, could feel he furthered his cause on the left wing to any significant effect.
Capello’s squad had already been decimated by the absence of David James, Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott and Emile Heskey. But he was forced to further reorganise when skipper John Terry lost his battle to recover from an Achilles problem and midfielder Michael Carrick was ruled out with an ankle injury. It meant Gareth Barry and Rooney were the only first-choice players in the starting XI, in contrast to Brazil who were virtually at full strength.
FIFA World Cup 2010 | Qualification | Madridistas round-up
Brazil 4-2 Chile
A brilliant hat-trick by Nilmar saw Brazil to a 4-2 victory over Chile on Wednesday in their 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifier and deny their opponents the victory they required to seal their place in the finals.
The 25-year-old Villarreal striker took full advantage of a rare start afforded him with Kaka suspended and both Luis Fabiano and Robinho injured. The already qualified Brazil overcame losing Felipe Melo to a red card early in the second half to maintain their proud record of never losing a FIFA World Cup qualifier at home.
Chile had looked as if they might pull off a famous victory – indeed end Brazil’s unbeaten home record in competitive matches stretching back 35 years to when Peru beat them 3-1 in a Copa America game – when they pulled back to 2-2. Brazil had eased into a 2-0 lead with two delightful goals as Nilmar, playing only his tenth international over five years, got on the end of Danny Alves’ cross from the right and with the outside of his right foot volleyed home.
Adriano, winning a rare start after personal problems afflicted him, almost doubled the lead a minute later as the barrel-chested striker – scorer of 29 goals in his 49 internationals – rounded the goalkeeper but his shot was cleared off the line. Brazil doubled their lead in the 41st minute as former Sevilla and Arsenal striker Julio Baptista side-footed past the Chile goalkeeper after Alves had passed to him following a poor Chilean clearance.
Impressive fightback
The Chileans, though, fought back and reduced the deficit shortly before half-time as Melo was penalised for a foul and Humberto Suazo powered home the penalty past Julio Cesar. Melo’s nightmare evening was complete in the 49th minute when he was dismissed by Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda for going in with his foot raised on Alexis Sanchez and within four minutes Suazo had the visitors level when he scored with a superb left footed volley to take his total to eight goals in the qualifiers.
Where Are They Now: John Metgod
Johannes Antonius Bernardus Metgod better known as Johnny Metgod, born on February 27, 1958 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a retired Real Madrid and Dutch association footballer, who is currently a first-team coach at Derby County.
Playing as a defender, Metgod started his professional career in the 1970s playing for HFC Haarlem. Metgod later served AZ’67, Real Madrid, Nottingham Forest F.C. and Tottenham Hotspur F.C.. In the summer of 1988 he moved back to Holland, and played for Feyenoord Rotterdam for six seasons before retirement.
During his career Metgod obtained 21 caps for the Netherlands national football team, scoring four goals. He was noted for his stunning free-kicks, most notably during his spell at Nottingham Forest. His younger brother Edward was also a professional footballer, playing as a goalkeeper.
After retiring Metgod became a coach, working for Excelsior Rotterdam and Feyenoord. On the 11th November 2008, Metgod was appointed first-team coach by Portsmouth, but left the club on 8 February 2009 when manager was sacked. Tony AdamsOn the 21 May 2009, Metgod was appointed as a first-team coach at Derby County.
In all between 1982-84 he made 84 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 8 times.
Drenthe press conference
The game on Wednesday will be decisive for the Netherlands, who must beat Japan to pass to quarterfinals. Drenthe, a Madridista and one of the best players on the dutch squad, hopes for a high-quality performance. “I want to do my best here in order to start in good shape with Real Madrid”.
Do you think winning the gold is feasible?
Of course. All we have to do is win this game to pass to quarterfinals. I want to do my best here in order to have a strong opening in the season with Real Madrid and win the Champions League. I have a good feeling this year.
What surprised you most in China?
The heat and the amazing stadiums. Chinese people are very nice and the public safety is incredible.
Back to Real Madrid, how do you feel about Van der Vaart’s signing?
Van der Vaart will be good for the team. He’s a great player and can do many things with the ball: shoot, take free kicks,… He is born to play in Real Madrid, without a doubt. He has talent and will succeed.
At this rate you’ll be starting a dutch colony in Madrid…
We’re five Dutchmen already, and it’s fantastic. I love it. There are also Argentines, Brazilians, Spaniards… We’re a multicultural country!
On a personal level, what are your expectations for the next season?
I’ll improve, that’s for sure. I want to play more, score more goals and be an important player on the squad. I’m training a lot in order to be in good shape for Real Madrid. I want to give the fans my best.
Sneijder’s case is a pity…
It was night time here when they called to tell me about it. The next day I called him, and he told me the injury wasn’t such a big deal. Sneijder is one of the best players in the world, he did a great job last season.
No more Oranje for Ruud
Ruud van Nistelrooy has called it a day on his international football career. The Dutch starlet who has scored 33 goals in a career spanning 64 games for The Netherlands has played three major tournaments including a world cup for Holland decided to quit the international stage in order to prolong his career. The 32-year-old told the Dutch Football Association’s (KNVB) official website that
After studying the schedule of Real Madrid and the Dutch team I realised playing for both teams would mean too tough a physical load for me and therefore I made this choice. The combination of league, cup and Champions League matches for Real Madrid is too hard for me. There was no other choice. Of course you don’t make a decision like this overnight. I had a good European Championship with the Dutch national team and look back with a good feeling on my international career.
Ah! Great news for us indeed! More goals surely from Van-Goal!
Hala Madrid!!
Just another Madridista
Hala Madrid 
Junta speak