Familiar task for Dutch as final place beckons

Favourites Netherlands seem set for a familiar task of having to pierce a massed defence when they tackle Uruguay on Tuesday in the first World Cup semi-final.

It happened against Denmark, Japan and Cameroon in the first round and Slovakia in the second before Brazil came at the Dutch and led until Wesley Sneijder struck twice to turn the tide.

Uruguay have been happy to let rivals press, confident that a well drilled defence will not wilt and they can counter-attack at pace with star Diego Forlan almost inevitably involved.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk is wary of the last South American contenders ahead of the Cape Town clash: “They are dangerous. At the start of the tournament I used them as an example of a passionate side.”

The coach says he has no problems being favourites to qualify for the July 11 Johannesburg climax against Germany or Spain, who clash Wednesday in a repeat of the Euro 2008 final won by a Fernando Torres goal.

“In the group phase we were always the favourites, never the underdogs. Against Brazil, it was the other way around. We do not want to be misled or distracted by people thinking we are favourites,” he said.

Coach Oscar Tabarez admits Uruguay have only a modest chance of shocking the Dutch and reaching a third final after hosting and winning the first World Cup in 1930 and lifting the trophy again 20 years later.

“We have been analysing Holland and trying to find their strong and weak points, and every team has a weak point. We will go out there with enormous faith.”

Suspensions rule out defender Jorge Fucile and star striker Luis Suarez, red carded for a deliberate hand ball that robbed Ghana of a goal that would have made them the first semi-finalists from Africa.

Spain Euro 2008-winning coach Luis Aragones believes his country can conquer Germany in Durban – a far cry from recent critical comments.

The 71-year-old said he had witnessed a Spanish side playing better and better as the World Cup progressed and considers them capable of an historic first title.

“Spain have gathered momentum and that is very important at the World Cup,” said the coach who stepped down after guiding Spain to the Euro title and was replaced by present incumbent Vicente Del Bosque.

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff criticised defender and acting skipper Philipp Lahm for expressing his desire to hold on to the armband long term.

Lahm, who has captained Germany in the absence of injured midfielder Michael Ballack and will win his 71st cap against Spain, told German media he hoped to continue as captain beyond the tournament.

“The captain’s role has brought me a lot of pleasure. It’s a real joy. Why would I want to give it back? I’d love to keep the armband, I want more responsibilities,” he told Bild newspaper.

Coach Joachim Loew was unruffled by the comments.

“That does not worry me – he knows it’s the coach who makes the decision after the World Cup. He can give his opinion.”

Thousands meanwhile thronged Accra airport to welcome home Ghana, the only one of six African contenders to reach the knockout phase at the first World Cup hosted by the continent.

Kotoka airport was choked with fans who started gathering six hours before the team arrived and even a two-hour flight delay did not deter drumming and dancing supporters.

National flags were waved as the footballers stepped from the plane amid the deafening sound of plastic vuvuzela horns and placards read “We love you our heroes, you made Ghana and Africa proud”.

“We did our best but luck was not on our side. We will go to Brazil in 2014 to be major contenders,” promised captain Stephen Appiah of a team forced to compete without injured talisman and midfielder Michael Essien.