Dutch secure final spot
Source: Agencies |
July 8, 2010, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Netherlands woke up to a full-blown case of Orange fever yesterday after the national side beat Uruguay 3-2 to reach its first World Cup final in 32 years.
De Telegraaf, the country's largest newspaper, led its front page with a lion screaming "FINALE!", while State TV opened with shots of screaming crowds across the country. Reports suggested more than 80,000 people, or over 10 percent of the city's entire population, watched the match on big screens in Amsterdam's Museum Square, which erupted in orange fireworks and flares when the final whistle blew.
The Dutch had to hang on desperately in stoppage time as Uruguay kept up a determined attitude throughout.
Deserved success
Playing with up to four attackers at times, the Dutch had too much quality, skill and guile for an under-strength Uruguay and deserved their success. The 18th minute goal from Giovanni van Bronckhorst came after the Dutch took the early initiative but the brilliant long-range strike served only to see them reduce the intensity of their approach and allow Uruguay to find space on the counter attack.
Diego Forlan's 41st minute equalizer was as equally speculative but underlined how the sudden loss of tempo put Dutch supremacy at risk.
The persistent probing of Uruguay's defense eventually led to a breakthrough with Wesley Sneijder squeezing a shot through in the 70th minute followed soon after by an Arjen Robben header to make it 3-1.
Uruguay still managed to set up a thrilling finale after Maximiliano Pereira pulled a goal back right at the end of the game. In the end, the dominant Dutch were forced into some desperate tackling to keep intact their lead and ensure a place in the final for the first time since the last winter World Cup in Argentina 32 years ago.
Uruguay bowed out having flown the South American flag further than all its more illustrious continental neighbors. "We never gave up and our last goal showed we were trying until the end," said coach Oscar Tabarez.
"If you were to chose a mode of losing it would be how we lost tonight."
De Telegraaf, the country's largest newspaper, led its front page with a lion screaming "FINALE!", while State TV opened with shots of screaming crowds across the country. Reports suggested more than 80,000 people, or over 10 percent of the city's entire population, watched the match on big screens in Amsterdam's Museum Square, which erupted in orange fireworks and flares when the final whistle blew.
The Dutch had to hang on desperately in stoppage time as Uruguay kept up a determined attitude throughout.
Deserved success
Playing with up to four attackers at times, the Dutch had too much quality, skill and guile for an under-strength Uruguay and deserved their success. The 18th minute goal from Giovanni van Bronckhorst came after the Dutch took the early initiative but the brilliant long-range strike served only to see them reduce the intensity of their approach and allow Uruguay to find space on the counter attack.
Diego Forlan's 41st minute equalizer was as equally speculative but underlined how the sudden loss of tempo put Dutch supremacy at risk.
The persistent probing of Uruguay's defense eventually led to a breakthrough with Wesley Sneijder squeezing a shot through in the 70th minute followed soon after by an Arjen Robben header to make it 3-1.
Uruguay still managed to set up a thrilling finale after Maximiliano Pereira pulled a goal back right at the end of the game. In the end, the dominant Dutch were forced into some desperate tackling to keep intact their lead and ensure a place in the final for the first time since the last winter World Cup in Argentina 32 years ago.
Uruguay bowed out having flown the South American flag further than all its more illustrious continental neighbors. "We never gave up and our last goal showed we were trying until the end," said coach Oscar Tabarez.
"If you were to chose a mode of losing it would be how we lost tonight."
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