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,

Dutch fightback buries 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.

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.

fifa.com

23 v'là les Oranjes (2:1)

Le débutant slovaque n'a pas refait le coup de l'Italie lundi 28 juin à Durban. Les Pays-Bas ont conforté leur série d'invincibilité en dominant la Repre grâce à Robben et Sneijder. Les Oranjes sont en quart de finale.

Bert van Marwijk avait prévenu : "Les joueurs ont compris l’importance de ce match. Il n’y aura plus de flottement comme lors des trois premiers matches". Reçu 5/5 Coach ! Ces Oranjes ne sont toujours pas spectaculaires, comme le regrette leur sorcier, mais que la batisse est solide. Et cette fois sans passage à vide. La Slovaquie joueuse et rieuse de l’Ellis Park face à l’Italie a buté contre le bloc néerlandais, où la différence individuelle de ses artistes a permis de concrétiser une domination complète mais trop stérile.

Car finalement, à la pause, les Pays-Bas ne peuvent se targuer que de deux occasions franches. On laissera les frappes non cadrées de Robin van Persie au rayon des opportunités de soldes estivales (41’, 44’). Première poussée oranje : Wesley Sneijder gâche un caviar estampillé Gunner. Servi royalement par van Persie après une feinte de frappe de brisquard, l’Intériste est seul devant Ján Mucha. Sa frappe enveloppée n’inquiète pas le portier du Legia Varsovie (11’). La seconde sera l’élue.

Le meneur de jeu lauréat de la Ligue des Champions de l'UEFA est plus heureux dans son costume taillé sur mesure : celui de passeur décisif. Descendu aux 60 mètres pour jouer les ratisseurs, Sneijder adresse un bijou de passe longue brossée à Arjen Robben, dans l’intervalle. Là, la classe du Munichois fait le reste : crochet extérieur du gauche, je repique au centre et je place une frappe à ras de terre aussi peu impressionnante que scientifiquement dosée (1:0, 18’). La "spéciale Robben" reste un tube à la mélodie efficace, les supporters du Bayern peuvent déjà se (re)frotter les mains.

Une passe de quatre historique
En face, la Repre cale pour trouver le code du coffre-fort néerlandais. La Slovaquie ne rafle aucun butin, à part celui de quelques modiques corners. La seconde période redémarre d’ailleurs sur des bases identiques. En deux minutes, les Pays-Bas frôlent le K.O., d’abord par Robben (50’) dont la "spéciale" est cette fois déviée du bout des doigts par Mucha ; par Joris Mathijsen ensuite (51’), là encore Mucha est à la parade.

Instinct de survie ou non, ces deux alertes sonnent le réveil des Slovaques. Et c’est à Maarten Stekelenburg de prendre le relais de son homologue. Coup sur coup, le portier de l’Ajax Amsterdam sort le grand jeu : claquette spectaculaire sur une frappe de Miroslav Stoch puis duel remporté face à Róbert Vittek, coupable d’une frappe trop axiale (67’). Des deux côtés, l’offensif reprend ses plus beaux apparâts en seconde mi-temps. Pas illogique alors que le duel de gardiens persiste. Mucha ressort sa cape de Zorro sur un tir à ras de terre de Dirk Kuyt (73’).

Le duel suivant tourne en revanche à l’avantage du Red, qui la joue fine. L’ailier gauche batave profite d’une sortie approximative de Mucha pour le lober d’une tête astucieuse. Il contrôle, temporise et sert Sneijder dans un fauteuil au point de penalty (2:0, 84’). La messe est dite. Le penalty transformé par Vittek à la dernière seconde est vain (2:1, 90'+4).

Pour la première fois de leur histoire, les Pays-Bas remportent leurs quatre premiers matches en Coupe du Monde de la FIFA. Ils poursuivent surtout leur série d’invicibilité, désormais arrêtée sur le chiffre 23.

fifa.com

Netherlands-Japan preview

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.

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
“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,” Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands 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,” Daisuke Matsui, Japan midfielder.

Voice of the fans
“Japan is going to come out fast, riding on the momentum of their win, but the Dutch aren't going to sit down and take it. Their counter-attack will change the tides of the game. Dutch to win 3-0 (maybe 3-1 on an early lucky goal),” FIFA.com user GandhiOfWar.