Semi Final 2: Argentina vs. Netherlands

[iDumb]

key word is HERE

[al-Sagar]

World Cups in South America have always been retained by South American nations......

Well, Argentina now has the responsibility. to keep the honour intact.

[Sohel]

Germany's gonna win this World Cup, prompting the UN to rename "Europe" as "South America" and vice versa. There is an exception to every norm. Just a matter of time before a pattern is broken. I find such displacement exciting most of the time.

[Jadukor]

Originally Posted by iDumb
key word is HERE

Naa uncle, the keyword is orange juice. Germanra onek khaya boro hoisey

[al-Sagar]

TEAM NEWS

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie may miss the World Cup semi-final after struggling with a stomach complaint.

But midfielder Nigel de Jong could feature after recovering from a groin injury, which was expected to rule him out for the rest of the tournament.

Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria is out because of a thigh injury but may return in his country's final match.

Striker Sergio Aguero is available after a thigh problem and left-back Marcos Rojo will return after a ban.

Dutch injury doubts Ron Vlaar and Leroy Fer took part in full training on Tuesday, but Van Persie trained away from his team-mates.

However, manager Louis van Gaal said the Manchester United striker would only play if he was completely fit.

"Robin van Persie has an intestinal problem and I didn't want to take a risk," said Van Gaal. "He is a very important player for us.

"In principle, my captains always play, but only if they're 100%."

AC Milan's De Jong has not played since tearing a groin muscle during his side's 2-1 victory over Mexico in the last 16 on 29 June.

He was expected to be out for up to four weeks, but has returned to training.

"If his reaction is good and he can play, then the miracle can come true," added Van Gaal.

[al-Sagar]

MATCH FACTS


Head-to-head

•Argentina's victory over the Netherlands in the 1978 final is the only time they have beaten the Dutch in eight meetings in all competitions (D3, L4).
•They haven't met for eight years since a 0-0 draw at the 2006 World Cup.
•Lionel Messi (29), Arjen Robben and Angel Di María (both 25) are the players with most completed dribbles in this tournament.


Argentina

•This is Argentina's first World Cup semi-final since 1990, when they went on to lose to Germany in the final.
•They have never lost a World Cup semi-final, winning the previous four.
•Each of Argentina's five wins at this tournament have come by a single goal margin.
•They are yet to be behind once in their five matches so far.
•Not including penalty shootouts, they have lost just one of their last 16 World Cup matches (W12, D3).
•Lionel Messi has created 19 goalscoring chances in this World Cup, the most of any player.
•Argentina have scored with 11% of their shots from outside the box, the best success rate of any side at this World Cup.
•This is the first time Argentina and Brazil have made the semi-final stage at the same tournament.
•Gonzalo Higuain ended a goal drought of 528 minutes without a goal for Argentina when he scored the winner against Belgium. He now has as many World Cup goals as Lionel Messi, despite having played four games less.


Netherlands

•This is the Netherlands' third semi-final appearance in their last four World Cup finals.
•Netherlands have lost just two of their 12 World Cup games against South American teams, not including penalty shootouts (1978 final v Argentina and 1994 quarter-final v Brazil).
•Against Costa Rica, the Dutch made 692 passes, the most they've recorded in a single World Cup match (1966-2014).
•Ten of the Netherlands' 12 goals in this tournament have come after half-time and their last four goals have come after the 75th minute.
•In their quarter-final, the Netherlands recorded the 11th instance of a team hitting the woodwork three times in a World Cup match (1966-2014).
•The Dutch are the only team to concede more than one penalty at this World Cup.
•Wesley Sneijder has played more World Cup games than any other Dutchman (16).
•Their shoot-out victory over Costa Rica was their sixth in major tournament history and they have now won two and lost four. It was the first time they have converted all their penalties in a shootout in a major tournament.
•They have had seven different goalscorers at this World Cup, more than any team.

[Holden]

Predicting Netherlands with a convincing win, only way I see Argentina winning is Messi doing a Maradona, as this Argentina side look to be as poor as Brazil.

[al-Sagar]

Netherlands: Cillessen, De Vrij, Vlaar, Martins Indi, Kuyt, De Jong, Sneijder, Wijnaldum, Blind, Robben, van Persie.

Subs: Vorm, Janmaat, de Guzman, Verhaegh, Veltman, Kongolo, Clasie, Lens, Huntelaar, Depay, Krul

[al-Sagar]

Argentina: Romero, Zabaleta, Demichelis, Garay, Rojo, Biglia, Mascherano, Lavezzi, Messi, Perez, Higuain.

Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Gago, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Federico Fernandez, Palacio, Alvarez, Aguero, Basanta, Andujar.

[al-Sagar]

teams are ready at the tunnel ....

[al-Sagar]

and players entering the field en route to the final

[al-Sagar]

dutch anthem .... now the argentine anthem .....

[al-Sagar]

kick off

[al-Sagar]

this is interesting neds playing 3-5-2 and Dirk Kuyt playing as a RWB

[Sohel]

Dork Kuyt: two touches and two unforced turnovers, but he'll run like a mule all week.

[al-Sagar]

none of the teams have stamped ther authority so afar

[al-Sagar]

wonderful vision (as usual) and pass by KUYT but robben just offside

[Sohel]

The Argentine look more poised and organized than they have all tournament. The Dutch are doing a masterful job cycling the ball around Messi's range during their possessional build up. Someone has the win the ball and get it to him. Where is a Redondo when you need one.

[Sohel]

Originally Posted by al-Sagar
wonderful vision (as usual) and pass by KUYT but robben just offside

GOT you

[Sohel]

Messi's being double teamed and closed down very quickly whenever he has the ball around the Dutch box.

[al-Sagar]

free kick demichllis moves firward

[Sohel]

Sneijder: miss 10, then score a spectacular shot. Perez wins an FK in a dangerous position. Great pass from Higuain made this all happen.

[al-Sagar]

Originally Posted by Sohel
The Argentine look more poised and organized than they have all tournament. The Dutch are doing a masterful job cycling the ball around Messi's range during their possessional build up. Someone has the win the ball and get it to him. Where is a Redondo when you need one.

mascherano is their to win b alls, but he does it deep in front of defense. they need somebody who will defend from the top

GK saves the messi FK

[Sohel]

Messi's FK forces a good save.

[Sohel]

Originally Posted by al-Sagar
mascherano is their to win b alls, but he does it deep in front of defense. they need somebody who will defend from the top

GK saves the messi FK

True, especially around the wings.