Netherlands not afraid of Spain – Van Marwijk

(GSM) – Netherlands manager Bert van Marwijk insists his team does not fear Spain. However, van Marwijk admits that Spain have the upper hand with the quality they currently possess in their ranks.

“At this moment I think Spain play a little more attractively than we do,” admitted van Marwijk.”Although we would like to do the same, they have a few more advantages right now.

“They are playing very well with the ball and without the ball when they are reacting very quickly so it could be a very interesting game between two teams who want to play football.”

Netherlands have played in the World Cup final twice, but lost on both occasions. Meanwhile, European champions Spain play the first World Cup final in their history.

Van Marwijk was quick to bash any concern about past failures, insisting that he is only focusing on Sunday night’s tie.

“I don’t think in that way,” added van Marwijk.

“I only think of that game we play in the final. Whatever happened in the past is not important and we have to prepare.

“There are no secrets for us with Spain. We are not afraid.”

Van Marwijk is not giving away his tactical approach to the game and insists that the Dutch will not be scared of playing as underdogs.

“I will tell the players but I will not explain it here,” he said.

“It doesn’t interest me even if the whole world says they are favourites,” he said. “It’s a game of two countries against each other and both want to win and can win, and we have confidence in ourselves.

“We respect Spain but we are not afraid. It’s a big challenge to play against Spain and to beat them.”