Categorized | Football

SPAIN DETERMINED TO HAVE A TREAT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DUTC

Posted on 10 July 2010

Spain, after a dominating performance against a young German side which groped for any kind of rhythm, faces the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals which the Spaniards have reached for the very first time and they don’t plan to miss the opportunity to inscribe their name on the handsome trophy.

But while Spain hopes to beat the Netherlands and enjoy a Dutch treat in the match to be telecast “live” in the Philippines at 2:30 a.m. on July 12 over ABS-CBN’s SkyCable “Balls” Channel 34 simulcast over Studio 23, the Netherlands are equally determined and capable of adding to their own history of success in the FIFA World Cup, the finals of which will be played at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

Although the much-hyped England squad were booted out early, FIFA has chosen English referee Howard Webb to be the man in the middle for what could be an epic All-European final. It will be the 38 year old Webb’s fourth game in South Africa .

As excitement if not tension builds up toward the final the Netherlands captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst has said he is hoping to lead the Netherlands to the FIFA World Cup title in front of South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela.

The Dutch skipper told his country’s journalists “I really hope to see him, it would be fantastic,” recalling that he had already met Mandela twice and it was “very powerful, very special. And it would be so nice to accept the trophy in front of him.”

The 35-year-old van Bronckhorst who probably struck the most amazing goal of this World Cup against luckless Uruguay in the semi finals will retire from football after Sunday’s Final and will earn his coaching badge before becoming the assistant coach of the Dutch Under-21 side.

While he wishes former president Mandela will watch the finals there is no assurance that the revered leader who will celebrate his 92nd birthday on 18 July and bothered by failing health will attend although a decision will be made closer to the kick off.

Mandela was due to attend the World Cup’s opening ceremony on 11 June but was unable to do so after his great-granddaughter was tragically killed in a car crash on the eve of the tournament.

The finals is bound to be an absorbing encounter that may well be decided in midfield where the Dutch Wesley Sneijder’s remarkable passing ability and vision matches that of the Spanish stars Iniesta and Xavi with the possibility that Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas who is being coveted by Barcelona may get a chance to strut his wares, coming off the bench for Spain.

The crucial aspect of Sneijder’s game is that he has shown an uncanny ability to score goals which Iniesta is also capable of doing although his role along with Xavi appears to be to get David Villa into position so he could score being Spain’s acknowledged Talisman.

Sneijder also has the incredibly hardworking Dirk Kuyt of Liverpool to depend on while if Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie shuns his tendency to go down at the slightest nudge he could be a major factor because of the power in his left-footed shots at goal.
The key in offense is undoubtedly Arjen Robben who missed the Netherlands opening match but has since come on to create havoc against opposing defenders. Robben will clearly be a marked man in the finals but his uncanny ability to accelerate and then to dribble around his defenders is bound to create problems for Spain because if they throw  two or three men at Robben every time he threatens,   that would give Smeijder and van Persie a chance to rip the Spanish defense apart.
In the end however, the outcome may well depend on whether Spain will take more shots at goal rather than dilly-dally passing the ball around and whether the Netherlands can deny them long spells of possession that enables Spain to pry open their opponents defense with short, quick touch passes and constant movement..
The Dutch may be the more physically solid side although with Carles Puyol who sent Spain into the finals with a sensational header off a pinpoint Xavi corner may be counted on to provide the offensive muscle in the box when needed.
Spain’s coach Vicente Del Bosque said after their victory over Germany, “We must celebrate the victory but in moderation.  We have to keep a balance and we’ll keep our eyes wide open without  being blinded by success.  We know what awaits us. We’re in a World Cup Final.”
In many respects this may well be a week of Spanish celebration as last Sunday, Rafael Nadal won the men’s singles championship at Wimbledon .title .
The British newspaper The Sun quoted Del Bosque — “I can only say what it means to be in the final. You see, we have great things in our country, and one of those great things is sport.We are privileged to have so many good sportsmen. Football is the locomotive for all these sports, and it has been yearning for so many years to have major success. I believe that Spain deserves to be at the top and be triumphant.”

Del Bosque added: “Holland are a team that play excellent football and have been trying to become world champions for many years. They have an excellent record, so there will be two great teams trying to become champions for the first time.

Xavi, “Man of the Match” against Germany said “the  Spanish personality prevailed. We had control of the game and imposed ourselves, particularly in the second half when we had the ball all the time. It’s a final now against Holland, a great team. If we play like we did today, we’ll have a great chance. Let’s enjoy the final” which is certain to be enjoyed by hundreds of millions around the world. 

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