Netherlands' FIFA World Cup semi-final with Argentina
could hinge on the performances of their respective left-footed talismen.
Both Arjen Robben and Lionel Messi have been influential
in guiding their teams to the last-four stage, but only one can emerge
victorious in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.
For Barcelona superstar Messi, who has enjoyed a
trophy-laden club career, a World Cup semi-final represents unchartered
territory, while his Dutch counterpart was victorious at the same stage in
South Africa four years ago.
That World Cup ultimately ended in bitter disappointment
for Robben and Netherlands, as Messi's club-mate Andres Iniesta struck the
decisive blow for Spain in the final.
The extra-time defeat in Johannesburg maintained
Netherlands' losing run in finals, after the nation were also defeated in
the1974 and 1978 showpieces.
The latter of those was against Argentina - also after
extra-time - as two goals from Mario Kempes condemned them to a 3-1 reverse in
front of a partisan Buenos Aires crowd.
Netherlands gained a measure of revenge in France 20
years later, in a game made memorable for Dennis Bergkamp's sumptuous control
and finish to seal a 2-1 success in the last minute of their quarter-final in
France.
To be considered among the likes of Pele and Diego
Maradona in the footballing pantheon, it has often been suggested that Messi
needs to deliver on the world stage - and the 27-year-old has certainly done
that in Brazil.
His four goals in the group stage helped Argentina to a
100 per cent record, and his two assists set up the winning strikes in both the
second-round and quarter-final matches against Switzerland and Belgium
respectively.
Robben, meanwhile, has been the focal point of much of
Netherlands' attacking play, netting three times as they topped Group B while
continuing to terrorise opponents with his trademark darting runs inside off
the right wing.
With Robin van Persie yet to score in knockout football
at a major international tournament, the goalscoring burden may yet fall again on
Robben's shoulders.
Louis van Gaal, widely lauded for his introduction of Tim
Krul for the penalty shoot-out win over Costa Rica in the last eight, has
doubts over the fitness of Ron Vlaar (knee) and Leroy Fer (hamstring), while
Nigel de Jong has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a
groin strain.
Argentina, meanwhile, will be without Angel Di Maria, who
sustained a thigh injury in the win over Belgium, although Sergio Aguero could
return after missing the last two matches with a similar issue.
Culled from Soccerway
0 comments:
Post a Comment