By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports
South Africa, Tuesday, July 6, 2010 — Despite their unbridled promise, Holland have never won the World Cup, finishing runners-up in 1974 and 1978. On July 11th, they will get another chance to lift the most coveted prize in world football after edging past surprise package Uruguay 3-2.
It was the Dutch who opened the scoring through the mostly unlikely scorer in veteran captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst on 18 minutes. A flowing team move through the middle created an opening for the full back to shoot on goal. Despite being 35m away from goal, he produced a superb blistering drive into the top right corner of the goal.
Uruguayan talisman, Diego Forlan, was kept quiet for the first 39 minutes but he suddenly exploded into life thereafter. When he received the ball in midfield, he cut inside his marker before firing a powerful left-footed shot from 30m which Holland goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg got a hand to but could not keep out.
Two goals in four second half minutes saw the Dutch open up a seemingly assailable lead at 3-1 before the Uruguayans made it an interesting ending to the match when they scored on the second minute of injury time.
Holland put on creative midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart to replace midfield hardman Demy De Zeeuw at half time but they appeared sluggish in the first 15 minutes of the second half as they constantly gave away possession in their own half. With the absence of top scorer Luis Suarez, it did not matter for the Dutch.
Diego Forlan went close again on 66 minutes when his 20m free kick was palmed away by Stekelenburg.
Holland’s patience in attack paid off on 70 minutes when Wesley Sneijder found space inside the box to shoot on goal. His shot went off the foot of Uruguay full back Maximiliano Pereira before slipping just inside the bottom right post to leave Uruguay goalkeeper Nestor Muslera stranded.
The lead was further extended four minutes later when Arjen Robben headed home a Dirk Kuyt left-wing cross into the bottom left corner.
Despite a loss on the cards, Uruguay continued to probe and they duly scored on 92 minutes when Maximiliano Pereira curled home a quick free kick move into the bottom left corner.
It was a nervous ending to the match with Uruguay threatening an equaliser but the Oranje managed to hold on their lead to march into their first final since 1978. They will take on either Germany or Spain in the final on Sunday, July 11th.
Final Result
Uruguay 2
Diego Forlan 40′
Maximiliano Pereira 90’+2
Holland 3
Giovanni van Bronckhorst 18′
Wesley Sneijder 70′
Arjen Robben 74′
Wesley Sneijder of Holland has now scored five goals and is joint-top scorer with David Villa of Spain. He won a historic treble with his club Inter Milan this past season and is now one game away from adding to his collection. (Image courtesy of Nike Singapore)
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Video highlights of the game
Game photos
Guardian.co.uk: Holland hold nerve to beat Uruguay and head for final
Goal.com players’ ratings
2010 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final and Final Fixtures
| SGP DATE/DAY | SGP TIME | COUNTRY A | COUNTRY B | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-Finals | |||||
| Jul 7, Wed | 2.30am | Uruguay  | 2 | Holland  | 3 |
| Jul 8, Thu | 2.30am | Germany  | 0 | Spain  | 1 |
| 3rd and 4th placing | |||||
| Jul 11, Sun | 2.30am | Uruguay | 2 | Germany | 3 |
| Final | |||||
| Jul 12, Mon | 2.30am | Holland | 0 | Spain | 1(AET) |
For the World Cup fixtures list with Singapore broadcast timings as well as group tables and the list of CCs with free screenings, go to: http://redsports.sg/2010-world-cup-fixtures-groups/
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