The Netherlands is through to its first final since 1978 after defeating Uruguay 3-2, sending Uruguay to Saturday’s third place match while the Netherlands play Sunday in Johnnesburg. To talk about Tuesday’s semifinal and preview Wednesday’s match, I was joined by Laurence McKenna for this edition of the World Cup Buzz Podcast.
And, as referenced in the pod …
Nothing against the Dutch but Uruguay clearly were at a disadvantage after all the fury and negative publicity following the L. Suarez handball.
How can someone like Van Bommel be on the pitch at the end of the match? He should have been sent-off. He ended with a yellow but could have had a yellow card on 2 other other occasions.
As for the Dutch’s 2nd goal, Sneijder’s goal was offside because the moment the ball left his foot RVP was offside and replays show it. This is regardless if it hit a defender or not because a deflection is not a back pass.
The ref looked to be favoring the Dutch as Uruguay have been portrayed prior to the match as “cheats” because of the Suarez handball. I think this WC has been many, many bad calls by refs. It’s a sad and disappointing aspect of this tournament.
Talk about Dutch playing dirty footy! There’s no place in the game for De Jong’s karate kick and even Sneijder got away with a few calls!
I won’t say much about van Bommel because he should have been sent-off in at least 2 games in the World Cup.
It is not so strange holland did not get to any final in 8 tournements, that we made it to 2, now 3, is what´s remarkable. We are one of the smallest of european nations, and countries like Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Portugal, Belgium, Yugoslavia never made it to even 1 final , let alone into 3 as now holland did. Even big nations like england and france never made 2 finals…
74, 78 will be revenged
Adrian,
Yes, major credit to Dutch for reaching the Final multiple times despite being a smaller sized nation. However, and not trying to be too correct here, but France reached the Final twice. Won it in WC1998 at home and lost in the previous edition to Italy in WC2006.
Great podcast! I’ve been listening since the Cup began. I’ve learned a lot, as an American fan. Just to respond to the question of Germany’s vulnerability — although Klose has been incredibly effective throughout the tournament, he has also been playing rough a lot, almost asking for cards. With everything on the line in this match, I’m interested to see how rough he plays, how close to the line.
I agree that Llorente should go in for Torres. He’s got a great header, and that would give something for Ramos to serve to from that right side. I’ve been seeing a lot of his crosses just get wasted in the middle. Villa has been my favourite player in the tournament, but playing on the left, his habitual cut inside is starting to wear thin, just like Robben’s from the right. Schweinsteiger had a great move in Germany’s last game, cutting left for that last goal and challenging the defender on the line (it’s a good percentage move because you’re likely to get a corner out of it at least).
I’m rooting for Spain (since they’ve never won before — it’s an American underdog thing), but would also like to see Podolski have a good game; I feel like he’s just been lying in wait for a number of games now, and is ready to pounce.
Then you might as well root for the Dutch, since they’ve never won the World Championship either.
Spain has never even made it this far before though.