Netherlands vs Mexico live scores, odds, results, teams – Soccer, Football FIFA World Cup 2014

The irresistible looking Oranje head to the Estadio Fortaleza later today to take on Los Aztecas as they lock horns with the industrious, attacking side that is Mexico. Louis Van Gaal can breathe a sigh of relief as he welcomes back his talismanic captain Robin van Persie from suspension, who missed the last game after picking up two yellow cards. A concussion juhas rendered Bruno Martins Indi a non-starter so he will take a place on the bench, while the hard-working Dirk Kuyt will take his place. Miguel Herrera has an almost fully functioning squad to make his team selection, barring Jose Vazquez who has amassed two yellow cards and must serve a one match ban. It is expected that Vazques will name an unchanged side from the eleven that beat Croatia.

 

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Confidence is high in the Mexican camp, with fans starting to hopefully and tentatively believe that it could Mexico’s turn. When questioned, Miguel Herrera had this to say: “We have a great atmosphere and a great attitude going into this game, and that is key. But we also have to play very well because we are facing a very difficult opponent. Do we believe that this could be Mexico’s World Cup? Yes! More than ever. We are very convinced that this time will be very different for us and we are ready to make history. I can’t compare myself with Louis Van Gaal. He’s done such outstanding things, and it’s an honour to play against him. This is my first World Cup.”

The Oranje are their group’s top scorers, and interestingly, in playing Mexico will be coming up against the joint-best defence in the tournament. Even though they had amassed a massive ten goals in their group games, The Netherlands still came under fire from a very disenchanted Chilean boss, Jorge Sampaoli who accused them of using very negative tactics in order to stifle the game for long periods and preventing Chile from getting forward. Also according to Sampaoli, the Dutch resorted to “long shot tactics”, meaning that the Dutch sat deep and refused to come out and play. Van Gaal responded: “One has to develop a strategy that can win”. Simply put, and it is a strange accusation given the quality of the Oranje’s play so far.

Los Aztecas have also impressed during this tournament, showing grit, determination, strength and discipline and the joint-tightest defence in the tournament to reach the round of sixteen. Rafael Marquez has been grabbing the headlines in his country, and rightly so, according to countryman and teammate Andres Guardado. He said: “When you see a guy who’s won everything he has, who’s 35 and is in this kind of form at his fourth World Cup, we don’t need him to say too much. Just watching him on the pitch is enough.” With confidence in both the Mexican and Dutch camps extremely high, today’s meeting is mouthwatering on paper with Mexico Coach Herrera exclaiming “Qualifying for the round of sixteen is one of the happiest days of my life”. With the Oranje in fine form though, he has to hope it won’t become the worst.

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