The Dutch were nothing short of superb as they absolutely demolished reigning champions Spain in the first game in Group B. Manchester United striker Robin van Persie and Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben ran riot, grabbing a brace each with Stephan De Vrij’s bundled header completing the rout. Immediately after the victory, talks of the Dutch going all the way surfaced but the team remain grounded.
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After the match, team captain Van Persie said, ‘After such a performance, the dynamics have naturally changed. However, as a country, we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. We have to stay realistic. We achieved an impressive result but we have a long way to go to win this tournament. This is my fifth (major) tournament and I know how these things work; the euphoria vanishes just as quickly as it appears.’
The entire Dutch team was excellent throughout and Louis van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation worked to perfection. Left wing back Daley Blind excelled in the role, sending in cross after cross, one of which was converted by Van Persie for that exquisite equalizing goal. The key question in this match is whether Van Persie and co can top that performance. The Dutch know that another 3 points will leave them perfectly positioned to top the group whilst second will, in all probability, face Brazil in the Round of 16. While Australia will be an easier proposition than Vincente Del Bosque’s Spainish side, you can never rule the Socceroos out.
Australia lost their first match in Brazil 3-1 to Chile. The score line sounds emphatic but after going two goals behind in the first 15 minutes, the Australians pulled one back through Tim Cahill and kept the South Americans on the defensive for much of the second half. They didn’t find the equalizing goal, though, as Chile got a third goal in injury time. Needless to say, the Socceroos backline will need to stand firm to keep out the rampant Dutch attack.
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TEAM NEWS
The Australians suffered a huge blow when attacking full back Ivan Franjic injured his hamstring against Chile, ruling him out for the rest of the tournament. Other than that, Australia coach Ange Postecoglou has no injury worries and should stick with his 4-2-3-1 formation.
Netherlands coach and master tactician Louis van Gaal has no injury worries ahead of this match and would be glad that Wesley Sneijder- who only just returned from an injury lay off- got a full 90 minutes under his belt. The manager, who is headed for Manchester United after the World Cup, has hinted at reverting to a more orthodox 4-3-3 for the Australia match.
Possible Line ups:
Australia (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Davidson, Spiranovic, Wilkinson, McGowan; Jedinak, Milligan; Oar, Bresciano, Leckie; Cahill
Netherlands (4-3-3): Cillessen; Blind, Vlaar, Martins Indi, Janmaat; De Jong, De Guzman, Sneijder, Windjalum, Van Persie, Robben
PREDICTION
Australia will give it their all, again but they just don’t have the quality to really test the Dutch provided Louis van Gaal’s men don’t get complacent. I fully expect the Dutch to triumph.
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