Holland vs. Uruguay Preview and Prediction
In the first World Cup semifinals match on Tuesday night Uruguay faces Holland. Uruguay has won the World Cup 2 times winning the first one held in 1930 and then again in 1950. However, their best finish since then is a fourth place finish in 1970.
Holland has made it to two World Cup finals (1974 and 1978) and they lost both times. The played Uruguay in 1974 in group play and beat them 2-0.
Uruguay cannot be happy they are playing a team from Europe since they have not beat a team in that continent in their last 13 World Cup matches with 7 losses and 6 draws. The last time they beat a team from Europe is 1970 when they beat the U.S.S.R. 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
One of the leading sportsbooks has a line for this match with Holland as the favorite posted at -200 with Uruguay at +600 and a draw at +270.
In their quarterfinals wins on Saturday Holland beat Brazil 2-1 and Uruguay beat Ghana on penalties 4-2 after playing a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Both teams will be missing a few players in this match. For Holland DF Gregory van der Wiel and MF Nigel de Jong are both suspended. For Uruguay striker Luis Suarez and DF Jorge Fucile are both suspended and MF Nicolas Lodeiro is out because of an injury. The loss of Suarez will really hurt Uruguay, as he is their lone striker up front and he has been solid in South Africa scoring 2 goals in Uruguay’s round of 16 win against South Korea.
Holland World Cup Matches
7/2/2010 Holland 2 Brazil 1
6/28/2010 Holland 2 Slovakia 1
6/24/2010 Holland 2 Cameroon 1
6/19/2010 Holland 1 Japan 0
6/14/2010 Holland 3 Denmark 1
Uruguay World Cup Matches
7/2/2010 Uruguay 1 Ghana 1 (Uruguay won 4-2 on penalties)
6/26/2010 Uruguay 2 South Korea 1
6/22/2010 Uruguay 1 Mexico 1
6/16/2010 Uruguay 3 South Africa 0
6/11/2010 Uruguay 0 France 0
Uruguay striker Diego Forlán leads the team in goals in the World Cup (3) and he will have to play well in this match, especially with Suarez out.
Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben are the main scorers for Holland and they have to pressure the Uruguay defense.
The Dutch are an offensive minded attacking squad and because of that Uruguay will have to take advantage of counter-attacking opportunities they get.
Holland has the advantage in the midfield and if they dominate the time of possession they will be very tough to beat. MF Mark Van Bommel has to control the midfield and break up the Uruguay attack, and he has more pressure on him since Nigel de Jong is suspended.
My Pick: Even though both teams are missing key players the losses will hurt Uruguay more. The Dutch cannot have a letdown after upsetting 5-time champion Brazil in their last match. They will not do that, as they will come out and play well in this match overpowering Uruguay with their dynamic offense. The Dutch will win this match and advance to the finals where they will have their 3rd shot to win their first World Cup.
