2:30 PM ET, July 6, 2010
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa
Players to watch:
Diego Forlan, Uruguay
Forlan has been one of two attacking weapons La Celeste has relied upon in the tournament, and with Suarez suspended, even more responsibility will fall on his shoulders. Forlan possesses a powerful shot from distance, making him a huge threat on free kicks inside 35 yards. Forlan is also dynamic from the run of play, so the Dutch will need to account for him at all times.
Diego Perez, Uruguay
Perez has been highly effective in protecting Uruguay's backline during the tournament. Given the injuries and suspensions the team has suffered, he'll need to be at his midfield-destroying best Tuesday. He has also proved adept at feeding Forlan into space on the counter, but in Suarez's absence, Perez will need to make sure he gets other attackers involved as well.
Diego Godin, Uruguay
The loss of Lugano is a massive blow, but it's one that is tempered by the expected return of Godin from a thigh injury that sidelined him for the quarterfinal. Godin will likely be tasked with marking Dutch forward Robin Van Persie, and he'll also need to provide leadership in Lugano's absence.
Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands
Sneijder is the attacking engine that makes the Oranje go. His incisive passes over both short and long distances are counted on to set the table for the likes of Robben, Kuyt and Van Persie. Sneijder is also plenty capable of scoring goals on his own, as evidenced by his four tallies so far. If the Netherlands is to break down Uruguay's defense, Sneijder's guile will be one of the prime ingredients.
John Heitinga, Netherlands
While Forlan is one of those players who drifts all over the field, Heitinga will be the man whose primary task is to keep the Uruguayan in check. The Dutch defender has pace and is solid on the ball, but given Forlan's unpredictability, Heitinga's powers of concentration will be put to the test.
Arjen Robben, Netherlands
While Sneijder is the team's attacking fulcrum, Robben is counted on to provide the unexpected bit of magic by running at defenders. He prefers to line up on the right and then cut inside onto his favored left foot and have a crack at goal. Everyone in the stadium knows it's coming, but it remains difficult to stop.
Who will win:
Uruguay has enjoyed a stellar run to the semifinals, but this is where the dream will end. Under the best of circumstances, La Celeste would have struggled to cope with the Dutch, but given how many key pieces won't be available for Uruguay, there just doesn't seem to be any way for the South Americans to come out on top. It's always possible that Forlan will have one of those stellar days, but a more likely outcome is for the Netherlands to take this match, 3-1, setting up an all-European final.
Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, South Africa
Players to watch:
Diego Forlan, Uruguay
Forlan has been one of two attacking weapons La Celeste has relied upon in the tournament, and with Suarez suspended, even more responsibility will fall on his shoulders. Forlan possesses a powerful shot from distance, making him a huge threat on free kicks inside 35 yards. Forlan is also dynamic from the run of play, so the Dutch will need to account for him at all times.
Diego Perez, Uruguay
Perez has been highly effective in protecting Uruguay's backline during the tournament. Given the injuries and suspensions the team has suffered, he'll need to be at his midfield-destroying best Tuesday. He has also proved adept at feeding Forlan into space on the counter, but in Suarez's absence, Perez will need to make sure he gets other attackers involved as well.
Diego Godin, Uruguay
The loss of Lugano is a massive blow, but it's one that is tempered by the expected return of Godin from a thigh injury that sidelined him for the quarterfinal. Godin will likely be tasked with marking Dutch forward Robin Van Persie, and he'll also need to provide leadership in Lugano's absence.
Wesley Sneijder, Netherlands
Sneijder is the attacking engine that makes the Oranje go. His incisive passes over both short and long distances are counted on to set the table for the likes of Robben, Kuyt and Van Persie. Sneijder is also plenty capable of scoring goals on his own, as evidenced by his four tallies so far. If the Netherlands is to break down Uruguay's defense, Sneijder's guile will be one of the prime ingredients.
John Heitinga, Netherlands
While Forlan is one of those players who drifts all over the field, Heitinga will be the man whose primary task is to keep the Uruguayan in check. The Dutch defender has pace and is solid on the ball, but given Forlan's unpredictability, Heitinga's powers of concentration will be put to the test.
Arjen Robben, Netherlands
While Sneijder is the team's attacking fulcrum, Robben is counted on to provide the unexpected bit of magic by running at defenders. He prefers to line up on the right and then cut inside onto his favored left foot and have a crack at goal. Everyone in the stadium knows it's coming, but it remains difficult to stop.
Who will win:
Uruguay has enjoyed a stellar run to the semifinals, but this is where the dream will end. Under the best of circumstances, La Celeste would have struggled to cope with the Dutch, but given how many key pieces won't be available for Uruguay, there just doesn't seem to be any way for the South Americans to come out on top. It's always possible that Forlan will have one of those stellar days, but a more likely outcome is for the Netherlands to take this match, 3-1, setting up an all-European final.
