Major forces in world football decades ago, Uruguay and the Netherlands have a chance to reclaim lost honour tonight
Major forces in world football decades ago, Uruguay and the Netherlands have a chance to reclaim lost honour tonight
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Though they will face criticism from all quarters for the way Luis Suarez stopped the ball going into the net with his hands against Ghana in the quarter-finals, the Uruguans have shown tremendous fighting spirit and resilience and made full use of a slightly favourable draw to be just two matches away from glory.
Not many had given them a chance before the World Cup began and in that sense, reaching the semi-final is in itself an achievement. But they will surely be wanting more now.
On the other hand, the Netherlands are often cited as the best nation never to win the World Cup. Unlike la Furia Roja, the Dutch have come incredibly close to enjoying such success, finishing second in quick succession during the 1970s. The golden era of Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens et al may be over, but there is a new generation of superstars now plying their trade in the iconic orange shirts.
And this could be the Netherlands' year. Brazil have often proved to be the nemeses of the Dutch in the past, but the Selecao were wrestled aside, despite the South Americans taking a first half lead. A brace of Wesley Sneijder goals early in the second half turned the game around, and this pragmatic Dutch side thereafter refused to let their grip on the fixture go.
Bert van Marwijk, the coach of the Oranje, firmly believes that his side will take their spot in the final come July 11, though he has urged his players not to allow their mental focus to slip.
"We have been down this road before in the past with other Dutch teams and the Dutch people have been let down time and again," he reminded his squad via a press conference. "We have to take the duel with Uruguay very seriously because, mentally, it is difficult to get yourselves back into the mix after a victory against Brazil.
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