Slovaks gear up for stiff Dutch test
Source: Agencies |
June 28, 2010, Monday
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THE Netherlands has been more substance than style so far at the World Cup and Bert van Marwijk's team is happy to stay that way to beat giant killer Slovakia and secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
The Netherlands start as strong favorites but will not be taking anything for granted today in Durban after Slovakia's stunning 3-2 defeat of Italy in group play which sent the defending champion home.
Slovakia also boasts one of the tournament's top scorers in Robert Vittek, whose three goals place him at the top of the scoring table with the likes of David Villa of Spain, Argentine Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez of Uruguay.
"Slovakia did well," Netherlands defender John Heitinga said. "You don't just win like that from Italy."
There were signs in the last group game that the famous Dutch "clockwork orange" attacking style of quick exchanges of passing and running off the ball is finally starting to click.
Robin van Persie's opening goal in his team's 2-1 defeat of Cameroon was a case in point - the Arsenal striker played a one-two with Rafael van der Vaart and Dirk Kuyt stepped over the ball to let it run to van Persie, who gratefully buried his first goal of the tournament in the net.
However, van Marwijk was not satisfied. He wants the team to control possession and patiently probe for openings in the opponent's defense. It might not please all fans as Dutch "total football" does, but it wins matches, van Marwijk argues.
Van Marwijk said Slovakia will be dangerous because less is expected of them.
"We came here as newcomers and outsiders," Vittek said after his two goals helped decide the upset of Italy. "But we have already surprised once and we want to do it again. We really have moved the limits of Slovak football somewhere else."
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss said his team would play with the same spirit against the Netherlands as it did against Italy. "They are the favorites but you never know."
The Netherlands start as strong favorites but will not be taking anything for granted today in Durban after Slovakia's stunning 3-2 defeat of Italy in group play which sent the defending champion home.
Slovakia also boasts one of the tournament's top scorers in Robert Vittek, whose three goals place him at the top of the scoring table with the likes of David Villa of Spain, Argentine Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez of Uruguay.
"Slovakia did well," Netherlands defender John Heitinga said. "You don't just win like that from Italy."
There were signs in the last group game that the famous Dutch "clockwork orange" attacking style of quick exchanges of passing and running off the ball is finally starting to click.
Robin van Persie's opening goal in his team's 2-1 defeat of Cameroon was a case in point - the Arsenal striker played a one-two with Rafael van der Vaart and Dirk Kuyt stepped over the ball to let it run to van Persie, who gratefully buried his first goal of the tournament in the net.
However, van Marwijk was not satisfied. He wants the team to control possession and patiently probe for openings in the opponent's defense. It might not please all fans as Dutch "total football" does, but it wins matches, van Marwijk argues.
Van Marwijk said Slovakia will be dangerous because less is expected of them.
"We came here as newcomers and outsiders," Vittek said after his two goals helped decide the upset of Italy. "But we have already surprised once and we want to do it again. We really have moved the limits of Slovak football somewhere else."
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss said his team would play with the same spirit against the Netherlands as it did against Italy. "They are the favorites but you never know."
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