What: 2010 FIFA World Cup
Who: Holland vs Denmark (Group E)
When: Monday 14th June, 2010, at 12:30 UK Time
Where: Soccer City, Johannesburg
Eyes on the Prize
Holland have been infamous for being a very talented side that never quite produced the results in the major tournaments. The Oranje have won just one European Championship in their entire football history, and have failed to make any real impact in the World Cup since reaching the final in 1974 and 1978.
Carrying the label of “talented, but mentally weak,” the Dutchmen are prepared to destroy any past impressions that have been associated with them. Under coach Bert van Marjwik, Holland were absolutely dominant in their World Cup qualifying campaign, impressively sweeping through their group without dropping a single point.
Having not lost since September of last year, the Oranje look to have overcome their past shortcomings, and are ready to make a real push in the World Cup. Van Marwijk will not be happy with anything but winning the entire tournament, and with their extreme talent and newly found confidence, few would argue that the coach is correct in his aim.
Finding That Consistency
Denmark have failed to make much of an impression in the World Cup, with their best ever finish a quarter-final at France ’98. Although they won the European Championships in 1992, the Danes have not made much of an impact on international football since.
Desperate to change their nation’s unimpressive record, Denmark qualified for the 2010 World Cup in very impressive fashion, losing only one match, and topping a group that included Portugal and Sweden. Despite being at a slight disadvantage on paper, the Danes relied on their team chemistry with great effect, to prevail over opposition sides.
Their form has unfortunately dipped in their friendly matches leading up to the World Cup, signs that the Danes are losing the confidence and chemistry that made them so successful in their qualifying campaign. If they are to make an impact in this tournament, they will have to rediscover the form that made them so successful on their road to South Africa.
Recent form
Holland:
Holland 2-1 Mexico (26/05; Friendly)
Holland 4-1 Ghana (01/06; Friendly)
Holland 6-0 Hungary (05/06; Friendly)
Denmark:
Denmark 2-0 Senegal (27/05; Friendly)
Australia 1-0 Denmark (01/06; Friendly)
South Africa 1-0 Denmark (05/06; Friendly)
Players to watch
Holland – Wesley Sneijder: Sneijder comes into the World Cup in red-hot form, having rediscovered his best under Jose Mourinho at Inter. The Dutchman has been the source of much debate in his homeland over whether it should be he, or Rafael van der Vaart, who acts as Holland’s creative focus. Whomever Bert van Marwijk chooses, Sneijder will continue to be crucial to Dutch hopes.
Denmark – Nicklas Bendtner: The young striker from Arsenal has proven he is ready to step up and take charge of a forward line, scoring plenty of important goals for his club in the recent season. Despite being just 22 years old, Bendtner has shown he is capable of withstanding the pressure that comes with high expectations, and will be key to Denmark’s ability to break down opposition defences in the World Cup.
Match prediction
Holland have progressively been getting better in their last set of friendly matches, with their last being a 6-0 drubbing of Hungary: a scary proposition for any opposition team. With the Dutchmen seeming to be growing even more in confidence as the World Cup kicks off, Denmark will find it extremely difficult to stifle Bert van Marjwik’s side. The Oranje will be dominant in this match, winning 3-0.
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