World Cup 2010: Uruguay v Holland – Semi Final

International Football Tips

 

World Cup 2010
Uruguay v Holland – Semi Final
Tuesday 6th July 2010 – 2030hrs
Cape Town is the setting for the first semi final between unfancied Uruguay and Holland in tonight’s crucial match for both sides.
Neither Holland or Uruguay were tipped to reach this far, but Uruguay do have pedigree in this tournament as the cups of 1930 and 1950 will testify.
Holland have never won the World Cup but have finished runners-up in 1974 and 1978 during the “total football” era and the reign of Johan Cruyff.
Uruguay have certainly paid the price however in reaching this semi final; their talismanic striker Luis Suarez will miss out due to his red card following his hand-ball against Ghana in dramatic circumstances, and he joins defender Jorge Fucile (suspended) and midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro (broken foot). Skipper Diego Lugano is an injury doubt and coach Tabarez will be doing everything in his power to get him match fit.
However, that leaves Diego Forlan pretty much up front on his own, and while he’s been quite impressive, he now has an increased burden on his shoulders as the main striker.
Now onto Holland, and whilst manager Van Marwijk has opted for the more cautious approach rather than the flambouyant “total football” adopted by his predecessors, it cannot be argued that they have done well to reach this far.
Amidst public bust-ups and the late arrival of a match-fit Robben, the Dutch have exceeded expectations, as most pundits would have tipped their downfall against the Brazilians in the quarter-final (myself included!), and they still remain unbeaten in 24 matches – an incredible international run of form.
Holland do not have any injuries at present with defender Joris Mathijsen declared fit following a knee injury, but they do have defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong and defender Gregory van der Wiel out through suspension.
If Suarez was playing I’d probably have gone for a draw at 90 minutes, but with the Dutch having a fully fit attacking personnel, I’m tipping they just shade this one in normal time….just!
Pick: Holland @ 1.75 with Pinnacle Sports