Who: Uruguay vs. Netherlands
What: Semifinal #1
When: Tuesday, July 6, 2:30 pm ET
Where: Green Point Stadium, Cape Town
TV: ESPN
Uruguay have not been this far in the World Cup since 1950, when they lifted the trophy after their famous victory over Brazil in Rio de Janeiro. But Oscar Tabarez’s side have done whatever is necessary to get to this point, including the now-infamous Luis Suarez handball in their quarterfinal win over Ghana, which the Uruguayans won in penalties.
The Netherlands, ever the bridesmaid, never the bride, overcame none other than Brazil in the quarters. It was one of the major upsets of the tournament, and showed the incredible balance of dynamic attackers and stern defenders that Bert van Marwijk’s side possesses.
Uruguay
The Charrúas are not supposed to be here. But with the game-changing talents of strikers Diego Forlán and Suarez and an organized defense led by holding midfielder Diego Perez, they have been one of the most consistent teams in South Africa. And they are thrilled by their underdog status.
“We are at a party and a celebration to which we were not invited. But we certainly have earned the right to be here and now we will enjoy it,” Tabarez told the media on Monday afternoon.
However, their joy will be tempered against Holland. Suarez will miss the match thanks to his red card against Ghana, and defender Jorge Fucile is suspended for yellow card accumulation. But captain Diego Lugano could play despite suffering a knee injury in the first half in the quarterfinals—the momentousness of the match is too much for him.
“I don’t mind playing through the pain but the point is to be 100 per cent ready for a game of this level,” he said. “Uruguay’s history demands us to be champions and we are prepared for an almighty battle.”
Netherlands
The Oranje have only gotten stronger as the tournament has progressed. The win against Brazil—conceding an early goal, then fighting back to win 2-1—showed their resilience.
The continued brilliance of Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben in the attack is the driving force of the team. But the energetic play of Dirk Kuyt and Marc van Bommel is probably more important, and now the best footballing nation to never win the World Cup feels they are on the brink of something unprecedented.
“This is something we have dreamed about our whole lives but we know that we have got to be careful and everyone expects us to get there now,” Kuyt told the Liverpool FC website. “We have got a lot of hard work to do. We have got to make sure we stick together and not get too carried away because the semifinal will be the hardest game we play. But we have got a fantastic opportunity.”
The only issue for van Marwijk’s selection is the health of Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, who suffered an elbow injury in the quarterfinal match. He has been cleared to play, but he has only one goal in five starts so far. Also, defender Joris Mathijsen, who was replaced by André Ooijer after suffering an injury in warm-ups against Brazil, is fit again.
