Nelson Mandela, star du Soccer City !

(FIFA.com) Dimanche 11 juillet 2010

FIFA.com

Dimanche soir, le Soccer City était en effervescence lors de l'arrivée tant attendue de Nelson Mandela peu avant le coup d'envoi de la finale de la Coupe du Monde de la FIFA 2010 entre l'Espagne et les Pays-Bas.

Accueilli sous un déchaînement des vuvuzelas et un tonnerre d'applaudissements, "Madiba" a également eu droit à une standing ovation à quelques minutes de l'épilogue du plus grand événement sportif de la planète, qui s'est déroulé sur sa terre natale. Un moment unique dans un Soccer City plein à craquer et un hommage plus que mérité pour cet homme qui a lutté toute sa vie durant pour l'émancipation de son peuple, pour la paix dans le monde et qui a tant fait pour améliorer les conditions de vie des Africains.

Parallèlement à d'autres personnalités, Mandela a été un fervent défenseur de la candidature sud-africaine pour l'édition 2010. Les photos qui l'on immortalisé à Zurich avec le trophée après l'attribution de l'épreuve reine à la Nation arc-en-ciel sont devenues cultes. Peu avant, il avait affirmé aux délégués et aux membres du Comité exécutif de la FIFA qu'héberger une Coupe du Monde de la FIFA serait "la concrétisation d'un rêve" pour lui et tous ses compagnons et fils d'Afrique. Une déclaration audacieuse de la part d'un homme qui a mené une existence de sacrifices.

Le football pour seul réconfort
Incarcéré pendant 27 ans, principalement dans la froide et tristement célèbre prison de Robben Island, au sud du Cap, Mandela est devenu une source d'espoir et d'inspiration dans son pays natal. Son rôle dans la campagne sud-africaine pour la conquête de l'événement et son amour pour la compétition sont de notoriété publique. "A Robben Island, nous ne pouvions suivre la Coupe du Monde qu'à travers la radio. Seul le football apportait un peu de réconfort aux prisonniers. Grâce à ce sport, nous pouvons célébrer l'humanité du continent africain et en faire profiter l'ensemble de la planète", explique Madiba.

Mandela, l'une des personnalités les plus admirées au monde, rejoint ainsi la liste prestigieuse des stars internationales, présidents, sportifs, acteurs et autres célébrités à avoir assisté à la finale au Soccer City. Parmi elles, on peut citer entre autres l'archevêque Desmond Tutu, l'ancien Secrétaire général des Nations unies Kofi Annan, George Weah (Joueur mondial de la FIFA 1995), Roger Milla, Lucas Radebe, Rafael Nadal, Marcel Desailly et Naomi Campbell.

"J'espère de tout cœur qu'il (Mandela) sera là, ça serait magique. Je l'ai déjà rencontré à deux reprises, c'était des moments forts et uniques. Ça serait super de soulever le trophée sous ses yeux", reconnaissait Giovanni van Bronckhorst un peu plus tôt dans la semaine. Le voeu du capitaine néerlandais a donc été exaucé.

Uruguay-Germany good ending !

For evidence of just how much the play-off for third place at the FIFA World Cup™ means, you only have to go back to the summer of 2006 and recall the determination with which host nation Germany rounded off their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Portugal in Stuttgart. It was the same for 1990 hosts Italy, who bounced back from the huge disappointment of semi-final defeat to Argentina with a spirit-lifting 2-1 success over England.

And the showdown for the final place on the podium often proves most rewarding for dark horses that have lit up a tournament, such as Sweden at USA 1994, Croatia at France 1998 and Turkey at Korea/Japan 2002. What's more, with the pressure off and coaches’ tactical leashes loosened, these games can result in end-to-end football, chances aplenty and goals galore.

The match
Uruguay-Germany, play-off for third place, Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth, Saturday 10 July, 20:30 (local time)

This is the second time Germany and Uruguay have met to contest third place at a FIFA World Cup, with the pair doing battle at the same stage of Mexico 1970. At the finals 40 years ago, Die Nationalmannschaft had lost a semi-final thriller 4-3 to Italy, while La Celeste had been downed 3-1 by eventual winners Brazil, with the Germans snatching third spot thanks to a solitary 26th-minute strike from Wolfgang Overath.

The two teams also met in the quarter-finals at England 1966 in a match Germany won 4-0, and again at Mexico 1986, when the pair’s group meeting ended 1-1. In conclusive proof of their historical upper hand, of a total of nine international matches between the duo to date, Germany have won six and suffered only one defeat, which came at the 1928 edition of the Olympic Football Tournament.

Not that Oscar Tabarez’s charges will let the record books concern them, having exceeded all expectations with the country’s best FIFA World Cup performance since lifting the Trophy for the second time at Brazil 1950. As they seek a victory which would crown their impressive showing on South African soil, striker Luis Suarez returns after missing the semi-final defeat against Netherlands through suspension while captain Diego Lugano should be fit to play after missing said game with a knee injury. Leading scorer Diego Forlan, meanwhile, has been declared fit to play despite a knock against the Dutch and, with four goals so far, is only one strike behind adidas Golden Boot pace-setters Wesley Sneijder and David Villa.

Speaking of in-form forwards, the spotlight will also no doubt fall on Miroslav Klose, now just one goal behind the all-time FIFA World Cup record of 15, set by Brazil’s Ronaldo. However, his appearance in what will be Germany’s 99th match at the competition is in doubt after suffering he suffered a back injury against Spain on Wednesday, while midfielders Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira's participation is also in doubt. German coach Joachim Low is therefore expected to give a run-out to squad players such as Serdar Tasci, Dennis Aogo and Stefan Kiessling.

Players to watch
Miroslav Klose vs Diego Forlan

This duo of vastly experienced strikers have four goals apiece so far and will be determined to further their respective Golden Boot hopes by finding the net again at the Port Elizabeth Stadium. The lethal pair both picked up knocks in their sides’ semi-final defeats, however, and may struggle to fire on all cylinders come Saturday evening.

The stat
10 – The signs suggest that the match for third place is unlikely to go to extra time, given that Germany’s last ten games - including friendlies - have all had a winner after 90 minutes.

What they said
“Obviously we now have to get over our disappointment, lift the players’ spirits and prepare for this game just as seriously as we would any other. We want to finish the World Cup on an upbeat note because, despite losing the semi-final, we’ve had a very good tournament. I’m really proud of my team,” Joachim Low, Germany coach.

“This will be a difficult game, but we’ll go into it with the same attitude and commitment that we showed against the Netherlands. There’s no guarantee of winning, we’re preparing to do everything we can to clinch third place at the World Cup for Uruguay. However, I know Germany will make it very difficult for us, so we’ll have to fight to our last breath if we want to win,” Oscar Tabarez, Uruguay coach.

Robben happy to win ugly !

(PA) Friday 9 July 2010

Getty Images

Arjen Robben has said that he would be delighted to win ugly in the FIFA World Cup™ Final on Sunday. The present Dutch squad has been described by some oberservers as the least attractive of the three that have reached the game's greatest stage.

Their first attempt came in the 'Total Football' era of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff, and, as will be the case this weekend, also featured an English referee in Jack Taylor. However, defeat to a technically inferior but tactically more astute West Germany was followed by a similar outcome in Argentina four years later, when Michels and Cruyff were no longer around but legends such as Johan Neeskens and Ruud Krol still were to bring a sense of flair to the Oranje.

So, having won plaudits but no prizes all those years ago, Robben is quite happy to have the workmanlike tag attached to the present side. All he cares about is the result. "I would much prefer to win a very ugly game than lose a beautiful one," said the former Chelsea star. "We can still play attractive football but we can always rely on our good organisation as well. If you are organised, you know one goal could be enough, which has been the case so far.

"The point is, we are in a World Cup final. From now on how you actually play no longer matters. Of course, the intent is there to play good football but the result is far more important. We have heard enough of talk about how our football is very nice. But it gets you nowhere. We want to achieve something."

We have heard enough of talk about how our football is very nice. But it gets you nowhere. We want to achieve something.

Arjen Robben

That is not to say the Netherlands are without talent. Wesley Sneijder has enjoyed an outstanding tournament and is now on the brink of emulating Pele's achievement in 1962 by adding the FIFA World Cup to a treble achieved on club duty with Inter Milan. Little wonder Manchester United are so interested in the midfield schemer.

As United found to their cost in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Robben still packs a powerful punch too, although the 26-year-old continues to be plagued by a hamstring injury picked up before the tournament began.

"I don't think I have been quite at my best because occasionally I still suffer some pain," he said. "It doesn't stop me playing, but it would not be truthful to say I am pain-free. It is getting better, however, it is not perfect and I am just doing as much as I possibly can."

There are connections between the Dutch and Spanish camps. Pepe Reina has already revealed he has been in text contact with Liverpool team-mate Kuyt. It seems Robben is not as close with Spain skipper Iker Casillas, who until last summer he shared a dressing room with at Real Madrid. "I have had no contact with him," said Robben. "It is something that is not important. I do not need friends. I want to be world champion."

History beckons and Amsterdam is waiting to party. Having won all eight games to reach South Africa and six more to reach the final, the men tasked with wearing those distinctive orange shirts are determined not to let anyone down now.

"We won every qualifying game and then every game since we have been here," said Sneijder. "We are not going to allow Spain to beat us now."

Michael Ballack : Germany's time has come !

(AFP) Wednesday 7 July 2010

Getty Images

Germany's injured captain Michael Ballack says their time has come to win the FIFA World Cup™ for a fourth time. The 33-year-old, who was ruled out of the tournament after suffering an ankle injury, admitted avenging the UEFA EURO 2008 final defeat by Spain in their semi-final in Durban would be difficult, but he believes his compatriots can do it.

"It will be difficult to beat Spain tonight, but this is our time," said Ballack, who has rejoined one of his former clubs, Bayer Leverkusen, after being released by Chelsea. "Germany have been the best team in the World Cup and just have to keep it going. Spain deserved to win the European Championship final against us two years ago, but with the confidence we've gained from our past two performances (a 4-1 win over old foes England and a 4-0 humbling of Argentina), I think its our moment."

Ballack, who missed out on the 2002 FIFA World Cup final defeat by Brazil as he was suspended and was in the side that lost to Spain in the UEFA EURO 2008 final, said that Germany, like Spain two years ago, had peaked at the right time. "We're playing the best football in the tournament, just as Spain did two years ago," he said. "Every team have ups and downs, but its a great skill to peak for a tournament. A German skill, I think England played very well in qualifying but made no impact at the tournament. We're England in reverse."

We're playing the best football in the tournament, just as Spain did two years ago.

Michael Ballack, Germany midfielder

Ballack added that it was not possible to compare the present German side and that of the one who won as West Germany in 1990. "Its great to play nice football, but this team need to win something," he said. "We're only in the semi-finals and there's no point putting in two great performances and losing. The 1990 team were winners and that's what we want to be. The point of entering a tournament is to win it."

Ballack admitted that Germany would miss young rising star Thomas Muller, who is suspended for their semi-final clash in Durban. "Thomas Muller will be missed against Spain because he scores goals, creates assists and works hard for the team," said Ballack. "Everyone in Germany has been surprised by his success. When I was at Bayern Munich four years ago, I didn't even know who he was because he was just one of many 16-year-old kids. He wasn't like Wayne Rooney in England, whom everyone knew was going to be a big star."

Ballack said that Muller's absence would place even greater focus on striker Miroslav Klose - who like Mueler has scored four goals at the finals. "Without him (Muller), Klose will be even more important," he said. "He's an unusual player, who has always needed the trust of the coach. But if he feels the manager likes him, he will play well, and that's what he gets with the national team."

germany, Michael Ballack, FIFA, World Championship, World Cup, Spain, semi-finals, muller, euro, uefa,

Germany - Spain preview !

There will be at least one European representative in the Final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, after Germany and Spain go head-to-head in the second semi-final on Wednesday evening. The match gives the Germans the opportunity to avenge their defeat to a Fernando Torres goal in the final of UEFA EURO 2008. No less than 19 survivors from that game – eight Germans and 11 Spaniards – will be on show in Durban, yet much has changed since that night in Vienna.

La Roja have struggled at times to produce the same majestic football that swept them to the European title, while Joachim Low’s revamped unit are unquestionably the form side of the competition. Die Nationalmannschaft have been winning new fans with their adventurous approach and earning praise from even the most seasoned of observers, Franz Beckenbauer among them. “Germany have never played like this before,” said an admiring Kaiser after his compatriots had seen off Argentina in the last eight.

The match
Germany-Spain, Semi-Final, Durban, Wednesday, 7 July, 20.30 (local time).

While no side has scored more goals in the tournament than Germany’s 13, the statistics show that Spain have done more attacking than anyone. If those two pieces of information are anything to go by, this should be quite a match. The Germans have been nothing short of spectacular in South Africa. After putting four past Australia in the group phase, they clicked into top gear in the Round of 16, overwhelming England 4-1 with their rapid counter-attacking style and then put another four past Argentina in the quarters.

Though Spain have reached a semi-final for the first time ever, they have been unable to match the exacting standards they have set for themselves in recent times, reproducing their eye-catching possession football only sporadically. Victors by a single goal in their last three games, the European champions can justifiably point to some massed defences as the reason for their reduced creativity, but there will be no excuses for a lack of spark come kick-off time on Wednesday.

All the indications are that Vicente del Bosque will keep faith with the XI that started against Paraguay, which means a reprieve for the misfiring Torres, who has yet to score. As for opposite number Low, his most pressing problem is to find a replacement for the suspended Thomas Muller, with Piotr Trochowski, Toni Kroos and Cacau all in the frame.

Players to watch
Miroslav Klose v David Villa

The leading marksman at South Africa 2010 with five of his country’s six goals, the Spanish striker is just one away from joining Raul as La Roja’s top scorer of all time. No less important to his team than the in-form Villa, Klose is closing on another record. The German forward needs to find the back of the net one more time to draw level with Brazil’s Ronaldo as the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup finals history with 15 goals. One behind the Spaniard in the South Africa 2010 charts, Klose has not given up hope of making off with the adidas Golden Boot as well.

The stat
3 - The number of times the two sides have faced each other in FIFA World Cup matches. Germany have yet to lose, winning 2-1 at England 1966 and Spain 1982 and forcing a 1-1 draw at USA 1994.

What they said
“Spain are the favourites to my mind and their team play is just amazing. They don’t have one Messi, they have several, and they don’t make many mistakes either, unlike England and Argentina. We need to force them to make errors,” Joachim Low, Germany coach.

“We haven’t come this far to finish fourth. We are going to fight hard against Germany to reach the Final, which is our one and only objective. We’ve reached a landmark for Spanish football by getting past the quarter-finals, but we know the Germany match is the most important in our history, even more so than the EURO 2008 final in Austria,” Iker Casillas, Spain goalkeeper and captain.

fifa.com

Oranje edge five-goal thriller !

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.

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.

Fifa.com

Les Oranjes en route pour le bouquet final

Si les Pays-Bas croyaient déjà en leurs chances de soulever leur première Coupe du Monde de la FIFA avant la rencontre, ils sont renforcés dans leur conviction - et un peu plus proches de leur rêve - après les 90 minutes qui leur ont permis de battre l’Uruguay en demi-finale d’Afrique du Sud 2010 ce mardi 6 juillet au Cap.

Les Oranjes attaquent pied au plancher et sur un premier centre de Wesley Sneijder de la droite, Fernando Muslera peine à dégager. Dirk Kuyt est à l’affût mais expédie sa frappe au dessus de la barre (4’). Très en jambes, Sneijder élimine ensuite deux joueurs et décoche une frappe qui part bien, mais qui est contrée par… Robin Van Persie (13’) ! En revanche, personne ne s’interposera sur la tentative du capitaine Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Aussi puissant que précis, son missile expédié de 30 mètres sur le côté gauche finit dans la lucarne de Muslera (18’, 0:1).

Côté sud-américain, c’est le calme plat. Diego Forlan est trop seul ou mal servi pour faire parler la poudre. Et lorsque Martin Caceres monte lui prêter main forte, sa tentative de volée frappe le visage de Demy de Zeeuw, mais pas le ballon (27’). Peut-être trop confiants, les Néerlandais dominent sans vraiment souffrir. Le problème c’est que face à Forlan, le moindre manque de concentration peut s’avérer fatal. Maarten Stekelenburg peut en témoigner... Pour une fois que l’attaquant charrua trouve une position, il expédie une frappe monumentale du gauche qui file sous la barre du gardien néerlandais et remet la Celeste dans la course (41’, 1:1).

Sneijder marche sur l’eau
Au retour des vestiaires, Bert van Marwijk opte pour un dispositif plus offensif en lançant Rafael Van der Vaart à la place du plus défensif - et sans doute sonné - De Zeeuw. Mais le premier danger est sur les cages oranjes avec une passe en retrait mal ajustée de Khalid Boulahrouz dont Edinson Cavani est à deux doigts de profiter (49’). Cette occasion n’est que la confirmation que les Uruguayens ont entamé un nouveau match depuis l’égalisation. Plus vifs et plus concentrés, ils résistent aux assauts européens et se procurent les actions les plus dangereuses, notamment par Maxi Pereira (54’) ou Forlan sur coup franc (67’). Mais il en faut plus pour faire douter ces Oranjes-là...

Un premier coup d’accélérateur de Van Persie libère astucieusement Van der Vaart qui permet à Muslera de Briller (69’). Les Néerlandais remettent les gaz et après une belle combinaison à droite, le cuir arrive à l’opposé dans les pieds de Sneijder, qui confirme que tout lui réussit. Sa frappe déviée par la jambe de Diego Godin trompe Muslera (70’, 1:2). Mais cette fois pas question pour les Bataves de se laisser rattraper. C’est sans doute ce qui motive Kuyt pour une nouvelle percée sur la gauche, conclue par un centre parfait pour Arjen Robben. La tête du Munichois ne laisse aucune chance au portier uruguayen et permet aux Pays-Bas de mener de deux buts (73’, 1:3).

Un avantage suffisant pour s’offrir une troisième finale de Coupe du Monde de la FIFA, et ce même si Maxi Pereira redonne un dernier espoir à la Celeste d’une frappe enroulée du gauche dans les arrêts de jeu (90’+2). Après avoir échoué en 1974 et 1978, à chaque fois contre le pays hôte, les Néerlandais ne sont pas encore sûrs de gagner, mais sont déjà assurés de ne pas voir l’Afrique du Sud leur barrer la route. Le dernier rempart avant le bonheur suprême sera l’Espagne ou l’Allemagne.

Oscar Tábarez (Uruguay) : Pressure is on Holland

Press Association
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 6 July 2010 09.28 BST

Enjoying the moment: Uruguay's coach Óscar Tábarez and Luis Suárez in training ahead of tonight's semi-final against Holland. Photograph: Helmut Fohringer/EPA

Uruguay's coach, Óscar Tabárez, believes the pressure is all on Holland when they play their World Cup semi-final at the Green Point stadium tonight.

The Dutch, with players such as Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, have been a football nation of underachievers since they reached back-to-back World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978.

And while Uruguay have won the trophy twice, in 1930 and 1950, Tabárez said: "The Dutch side will feel the burden of expectation far more than us. No-one really believes in us and the possibility we might win. We have to enjoy the World Cup and the match, make the most of it, because we know millions will be watching these players. This is a challenge, but also a reason for great happiness."

Holland won all eight of their qualifying matches and have a 100% record in five matches in South Africa, including knocking out Brazil 2-1 in the quarter-final.

Tabárez believes the key to his team's success is keeping Robben under control, although he rejected suggestions that the Bayern Munich winger is a diver.

"He's a great footballer," said Tabárez . "He's very fast, very nimble, very long strides. When he shifts his body, it's difficult to react. With Robben back, this Holland side benefits greatly. They were already very good without him, but now they have him contributing as well.

"Like any footballer who is hit on the pitch, well, I wouldn't say he is a 'cheat'. These are things that happen in football. It's up to the referee to determine the players' intentions."

Tabárez admits Uruguay have not played brilliantly at this World Cup but still dreams of the South Americans returning to former glories, even if they are hampered by the attraction of Europe's money-laden leagues. "We have a long way to go," he said. "The world nowadays is very different to that in the first half of the 20th century, when Uruguay hardly lost a match.

"The gap is widening more and more between the first and the third world. There is increasing independence of players going to Europe to earn their trade and that weakens our football. It would be a dream to become a footballing power again, but the world hasn't changed because we've won a few matches."Uruguay, netherlands, hollande, World Cup, FIFA, Tábarez , hollande, semi-finals,

Uruguay-Netherlands preview !

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 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 four 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 Oranjes’ 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
"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," Bert Van Marwijk, Netherlands 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," Oscar Tabarez, Uruguay coach.