Uruguay v Netherlands
Football: FIFA World Cup: Semi finals
Venue: Green Point Stadium - Cape Town
Tuesday 6th July 2010 – Kickoff time: 19:30 GMT

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The only undefeated countries left in the 2010 World Cup go head-to-head for a place in the World Cup final.

Both sides have reached the final twice before though their records make for somewhat different reading.

While Uruguay have won both their two previous appearances in the showpiece - in 1930 and 1950 - the Netherlands have carried the two successive final defeats in 1974 and 1978 like an albatross around their neck ever since.

Both teams reached this semi-final after coming from behind in their quarter final matches. The Netherlands did it against Brazil and Uruguay broke African hearts by winning a penalty shoot-out against Ghana.

Uruguay (FIFA rank: 16)

The only South American team left in the semi-finals from four in the previous round, Uruguay produced everything up their sleeves to overcome Africa’s last challengers, Ghana. Luis Suarez, the two-goal hero against South Korea in the Round-of-16, became more or less the hero again but in the most unlikely of ways.

The prolific striker’s red card-earning goal mouth hand-ball in the dying seconds of extra time denied Ghana a history-making place in the semi-finals combined with Asamoah Gyan’s failure to convert the resulting penalty.

Uruguay started the game well but seemed to be over-run by Ghana's drive and athleticism. Credit to Uruguay for weathering the storm and gaining back control, despite losing two players to injury, and towards the end of normal time they deserved to win the match.

Having gone into the dramatic quarterfinal clash without Diego Godin, who has a thigh injury, Diego Lugano, Uruguay's captain and inspiration, was forced off with a first-half knee injury. It is not known yet whether either player will recover in time for the semifinal.

Uruguay finished the game with a center-back pairing of Andres Scotti and Mauricio Victorino, who coped well, though La Celeste’s defense looked shakier against Ghana than it has at any previous point in the tournament.

They will also be without left-back Jorge Fucile, who collected his second yellow card of the tournament. Juventus defender Martin Caceres could take his place.

The suspension of usual strike partner Luis Suarez might see Forlán return to a main striker role. But wherever he lines up, he will certainly be Uruguay’s key player.

Netherlands (FIFA rank: 4)

The Netherlands came from a goal behind against Brazil in the quarter finals to win 2-1, and a deserved victory it was. The first half was a tightly fought affair, maybe a plus of determination from Brazil, with only Robinho’s goal to separate them. Felipe Melo had played a perfectly weighted pass to Robinho who took advantage of a strangely absent central defence to put the ball in the net.

The Dutch equaliser early in the second half was an odd goal. Wesley Sneijder’s cross into the box looked like it would be easy pickings for goalkeeper Julio Cesar until Melo got in his way. The ball flicked off Melo’s head into his own net. Sneijder headed in the winner with just over twenty minutes to go during which time’s Melo’s afternoon got worse when he was sent off for stomping on Arjen Robben.

Wesley Sneijder has proved himself to be the most important and influential player for the Oranje in this competition and it will be no different going into Tuesday’s match. His all round abilities must be Uruguay’s biggest concern.

Arjen Robben should seriously consider playing more for the team, we all know he is a world-class player that can make the difference at any given time, but he must pass the ball more often. He troubled the Brazilians despite his irritating gamesmanship and should play an even more important role in the semi-final.

There is good news on the injury front with both Mathijsen and van Persie passing fitness tests. The Dutch will be without Nigel de Jong and Gregory van der Wiel who are both suspended. Khalid Boularouhz and Demy de Zeeuw are expected to replace them.

Head to head

These teams have only met once before in World Cup play, and that was back in 1974 in group play when the Netherlands won 2-0. They have played in a few friendlies over the decades but not in the last few years.

The Betting Verdict :

If Holland plays like they did in the second half against Brazil, then they should go through without major difficulties. On the other hand we saw in the Spain – Paraguay game that the difference between teams at this level is not significant, the South Americans could have produced a shock if Cardozo scored from that penalty.

The Dutch have been doing just enough to win matches without overawing their opponents despite having a team capable of doing so, maybe this is the recipe for their first ever World Cup win. The pressure is on them, Uruguay already surpassed the expectations, so any positive result from now on is a bonus.

Uruguay are without a win in their last 13 World Cup finals games against European opposition (six draws, seven losses) with their last success over a European side coming in 1970 when they beat the Soviet Union 1-0 at the quarter-final stage.

I think that without Luis Suarez, Uruguay is unlikely to have enough firepower to trouble the Dutch, who should win and I am counting on Robben to score his second goal at this World Cup, as he should win the battle against Alvaro Pereira who played as a left winger during the tournament.

The Pick :

Uruguay 0-1 Netherlands (or 1-2)

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Main bet: Netherlands to win at 1.70 Interwetten
Side bet: Arjen Robben to score anytime at 3.00 Interwetten