Uruguay vs. Netherlands: What Bettors Need to Know
Odds: Uruguay +290 to advance, Netherlands -314 to advance; Over/under (2)
So how many of you tipped Uruguay to get this far? The South Americans will play their first World Cup semi-final since they lost 3-1 to Brazil in 1970. But given that they will face the Dutch, the conquerors of Brazil, Diego Forlan and company have their work cut out if Uruguay are to become the unlikeliest World Cup finalists of all time.
Game strategy
Uruguay have a big problem in attack with Luis Suarez - one of their most important goal threats – suspended. But, if it wasn’t for his deliberate hand ball in the last minute of extra time against Ghana, Uruguay would already be on the flight home.
Suarez is now considered a martyr in his homeland but will be watching from the sidelines as Diego Forlan spearheads Uruguay’s attack. Former Uruguayian forward, Gus Poyet, gave his view on the Suarez handball. He said: "When you are naive, you don't win football games. Suarez put himself in front of the whole country and because of that Uruguay is in the semi-finals.''
The Dutch meanwhile are surfing the crest of a wave after coming from behind to beat the tournament favorites, Brazil, in dramatic style on Friday. Two goals from Wesley Sneijder puts him in contention for the Golden Boot, and puts the Netherlands within touching distance of their first World Cup final since 1978.
With no major injury concerns and Arjen Robben back to his match-winning best, the Netherlands are dreaming of the glory they have been denied on so many occasions before.
But despite the great Dutch sides of the past, they have never won football’s ultimate prize, with coach Bert van Marwijk warning his players against complacency.
"We have witnessed it before in the past,” he told reporters. “Think about two years ago at the European Championships - we beat Italy and France and everybody already thought we would become European champions but we didn't even survive the quarter-finals because we thought that we were already there.
“That's what I've tried to make clear, that this has to be different. Until now, the players have shown that they've picked that up very well but this will be another important test.”
Know your enemy
Uruguay and Netherlands have never met at a World Cup finals. Both sides are saddled with crippling expectations, but for completely different reasons.
Uruguay were winners of the inaugural competition in 1930 and again 20 years later in 1950. But this merely masks 60 years of hurt for one of South America’s less high-profile footballing nations.
The Dutch are expectant given that this is arguably their strongest team since that of the famous ‘Total Football’ teams of the 1970s. But that decade will be remembered just as much for the two World Cup final defeats (in ’74 and ’78) as the great football they produced.
Players to watch
Uruguay – Diego Forlan
In Suarez’s absence, Diego Forlan is the man expected to fire Uruguay into the final. With 27 goals in 67 games, he is as prolific for his country as he is at club level in Spain with Atletico Madrid. Forlan already has three goals in this competition. He’ll try his best to exploit a sometimes shaky Dutch defense and propel his home nation into the World Cup final.
Netherlands – Robin van Persie
Having spent another season struggling with injury, van Persie came into this tournament fresh and eager to remind people of his world-class talents. Although he’s yet to hit his sparkling top form, the Arsenal man has looked sharp. Van Persie can be deadly when given the chance and, given that he has been passed fit to play after picking up a knock to his elbow, he’s well worth backing to score at any time.
Weather
Another dry but chilly evening in Cape Town is forecast.
Stat attack
Three of Diego Forlan’s four World Cup goals have come from outside the box.
The Netherlands have played a higher proportion of their passes in their own half (48 percent) than any side at this World Cup.
Mark van Bommel has won more tackles than any other player (19) at the 2010 World Cup.
If the winner of Uruguay and Netherlands loses in the final, the only unbeaten team in the World Cup will be New Zealand – the lowest positioned team in FIFA’s world rankings of the 32 nations who qualified for the 2010 World Cup.