Welcome to the semifinals, as the final four teams, Uruguay, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain are left standing after their quarterfinal games. Let's look at each match-up in more detail and analyze some of the keys to the game:
Uruguay
Defensive Organization
Forlan's Freekicks
Discipline & Patience
Netherlands
Control Tempo & Possession
Limit Opposing Freekicks
Mentally Strong
The Dutch are the favorites for this match-up and need to ensure that after their stunning victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals that they maintain their mental focus against Uruguay. This is a big opportunity for the Dutch to reach the final of the World Cup since 1978, while Uruguay, although having won the first two World Cups, are in unfamiliar territory as well, having last tasted any sort of success at a World Cup in 1970 when they reached the semifinal.
Key Match-Ups
Diego Forlan - John Heitinga
Diego Forlan has had an excellent World Cup so far, and excelled against Ghana in the quarterfinal scoring a wonderful freekick to tie the game and also converting his penalty kick. With the absence of Luis Suarez and the new 'Hand of God,' Forlan will be the key fulcrum in the Uruguay attack. Forlan can attack either through the middle or out wide. With Suarez suspended I would expect to see Forlan attack through the middle using Cavani as his primary attacking winger. John Heitinga, from Everton, is having an outstanding tournament for the Oranje, and after shackling Luis Fabiano, will look to contain Diego Forlan as well. With the injury doubt to his central partner Mathijsen, Heitinga will be asked to carry the burden of dealing with Uruguay's attacking players.
Diego Perez - Mark van Bommel
Diego Perez and Mark van Bommel are both the key defensive midfielders for their respective sides. With Nigel de Jong suspended, the defensive challenge will rest on the shoulders of Bayern Munich player van Bommel. With de Jong's absence there is a chance that Perez, from the French club Monaco, will be able to control the center of the park. Van Bommel, on the other hand, will try to win possession for the Dutch and feed Sneijder and Robben on the wings. This is a key match-up for the game, because whoever can control the middle of the park will be able to claim the victory.
Uruguay LB - Arjen Robben
With Jorge Fucile suspended, Uruguay will find it very difficult to control Arjen Robben on the wing. Fucile has played ever minute of the World Cup, and I am still unsure who will cover for him in this game. There is talk that youngster and Juventus player Martin Caceres might deputize, however Caceres is an attacking fullback and has yet to master the defensive aspects of playing the fullback position. Robben will need to take advantage of this situation and not waste scoring opportunities as he did against Brazil. However, in the second half of that game Robben was a key figure, winning freekicks which eventually led to the dismissal of Felipe Melo.
Fearless Prediction
At the end of the day I believe that the Dutch are too strong for Uruguay who are missing arguably their best defender in Fucile and a key goalscorer in Suarez. Regardless Uruguay will defend admirably, yet I expect the Dutch to score two goals, one in each half to reach their first World Cup final since 1978.
Uruguay - Netherlands (0-2)
OVERALL RECORD
33-27
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