Dutch To Field Strongest Lineup

I see Netherlands got an early goal from Van Nistelrooy…any update from anyone following the match as to how it’s going overall for both sides?

Posted from  United States

Stuart,

I got the live stream just after the goal and was thinking man, we could be in for a long game (after such an early goal by Ruud).

But as the gme went on we have matched the Dutch for posession, albeit they have probably had the better chances. Schwarzer pulled off a brilliant save.

Saying that, Viduka should’ve made it 1-1 after Chippers put in a great cross. The ball was hanging in the air a bit and that meant Dukes couldn’t get the power he wanted but at the end of the day, he is a quality striker and quality strikers score these chances.

Would love to see Kewell and Cahill play against what looks like the Dutch strongest line-up.

Bring on the second half.

1-1. Cahill scored. Dukes had a penalty which hit the crossbar, bounced off Van der Sar’s back, onto the post, back onto VDS, Dutch defender went to clear, hit VDS, Cahill put it into the back of the net.

Just after that, Robben had a great chance saved by Schwarzer.

Wilkshire sent off – 2 yellow cards.

Gonna be tough with 10 men.

WOW!

1-1 draw.

Great effort with only 10 men against world #3.

Well Done the ‘Roos!

Dru (in Toronto at the moment)

Posted from  Canada

Man of the match, Mark Schwarzer.

Yet again he steps up to the occasion. Good thing he’s not wearing that mask that seemed to affect him in the UEFA Cup Final.

Also, I never saw Wilkshire’s first yellow card. That foul that got him sent off was definetly bad, but not worthy of a straight red card. I thought it was a bit weird the referee got the yellow out first. I guess the broadcast must’ve missed it, or I wasn’t paying attention. Was it in the first half?

Also, dutch players are so brittle! So many had to limp or get carried of the pitch, while the aussie player they hit or crashed against carried on like nothing had happened. Argentina might have something to thank Australia for now if they turn out to be bad injuries.

Finally, I thought I’d heard Kewell might play for some 15 minutes, but I guess he would have gone in for Wilkshire, who was sent off.

Good result against the Dutch at their home. Japan should really be wary now.

Posted from  Australia

Yes, very heartening, for us at least. Holland won’t be smiling after all those injuries. Eek!

Shaky start but we kept it together with 10 men.

Great to see Timmy back.

Wilkshire – Could someone tell me why Hiddink rates him so highly?? Stupid late challenge.

Schwarzer – looks like his form has finally returned. Phew! Surely that seals Spider’s fate as our #2 in Germany.

Yawn… damn this month is going to be hell for my sleeping patterns.

Posted from  Australia

I think Viduka should be dropped. He’s the weakest link in the team.

Posted from  Australia

the reason most aussies dont like soccer(football) is coz of the amount of girls playing the game, you know, the ones who go down like they’ve been taken out by a sniper after the tiniest little touch. not just talking about the dutch, lots of teams are full of ‘em. bring on full-contact football!

Posted from  Australia

@Nick
People who think football players are girls haven’t played football (soccer??) themselves. The likes of Stam, Bommel, Viera, Makelel, Keane, etc etc are NOT sissies… It’s so easy to say that stuff. The injury Sneijder has, was the result of a foot in the air, swinging towards the ball and hitting the opponents foot. Not even a faul, but if you’d talk to your docter after seeying the footage, that doc will not say to you: Sneijder is a whimp.. He will understand why that injury is so bad…
It has been scientifically proven thhat “soccer” is physically one the most demanding games on the body (sprints, runs, turns, handling the ball, always under pressure and with physical contact and all…). Do your homework…

Posted from  Australia

I disagree with nick as well. One of the most beautiful things about the sport is the technical side, the well threaded passes, the shaking off opponents defenses and the clinical finishes. None of these involve full contact.

However, as Jan mentions, the modern game is becoming more physical. You could see in the game last night how to keep possesion players try first to prevent the opposing player to get to the ball rather than get to the ball themselves. Still, the technical aspect is what separates good teams from great teams. A complete team is good both physically and technically.

Sadly, simulation is a very real problem affecting the sport at the moment. I believe what nick refers to as “girls” is most of the time players trying to trick the referee into thinking the foul was harder than it actually was, and trying to get an advantage. This conduct is against good sport, they’re not girls, they’re cheats. Hopefully referees this year won’t allow it and sanction it severely.

Posted from  Australia