Striker eyes golden prize

Posted on July 7, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Diego Forlan has revealed that he was not 100 percent fit for Uruguay’s semi-final defeat to Holland but he is still aiming to leave South Africa with the World Cup’s golden boot (Spain’s David Villa is 10/11 favourite for the prize).

The South Americans went down 3-2 to an impressive Dutch outfit at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The Atletico Madrid hitman netted from 30 yards out to put his side back on level terms after Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave the Europeans the lead with one of the goals of the tournament.

However, strikes from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben put the result beyond doubt before Maximiliano Pereira netted a late consolation goal for Uruguay.

Forlan was substituted with five minutes to play after struggling with a tendon strain but the striker is now undergoing treatment in the hope of being fit enough for the third place play-off on Saturday.

“I have had a problem with my tendon, this has been going on for a couple of days already and I wasn’t really in the game,” he said.

“I thought warming up before the game I was going to be at my best, but it wasn’t like that for me.

”We will wait and see if I can make it in time for Saturday.”

Forlan has four goals in the tournament and will have the chance to add to that tally against Spain or Germany in Port Elizabeth if he’s passed fit.

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Neuer targets Spain shutout

Posted on July 7, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says he is after clean sheet when his nation take on Spain (15/8 outright World Cup winners) in Wednesday’s semi-final.

The Schalke shot-stopper has made a big name for himself at the World Cup, producing a string of fine performances as Germany (7/4 to beat Spain) eased into the last four.

While the likes of Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose (7/2 top scorer) have grabbed the headlines it’s been Neuer keeping them in the matches at the other end.

The 24-year-old has made the most saves out of the four goalkeepers left at the World Cup, denying opponents on 18 occasions.

He has also conceded just two goals, although that should number should be one higher following Frank Lampard’s goal that wasn’t given in the second round.

Having been dubbed the ‘German Casillas’ by the nation’s media Neuer is keen to match his skills up against his Spanish counterpart, Iker Casillas.

“I haven’t heard that, but of course it’s an honour to be compared to Casillas,” said Neuer. “He is an incredibly good goalkeeper who has enjoyed so much success in the past. But I like to play for a zero and it will be the same on Wednesday.”

Having kept Argentina at bay in the last round, Neuer is confident of another clean sheet in Durban as he looks to help Germany avenge their Euro 2008 final defeat to Spain.

While Neuer has been in fine form in South Africa he believes it is all down to his defenders as to why he has only conceded two goals so far.

“It is thanks to some outstanding defending that we have only conceded two goals in the tournament, we can be very happy with that,” he said.

The German’s defence is likely to be tested to the limit by Spain, in particular by David Villa who has looked unstoppable at times during this tournament.

The Barcelona forward is currently leading the way in the race for the golden boot with five goals to his name and will be looking to take advantage of the slightly cumbersome centre-halfs Arne Friedrich and Per Mertesacker.

However, Neuer has backed his team mates to deal with Villa and co, claiming they can boss the game against the less physical Spaniards.

“You have to show the opposition who’s boss,” said Neuer. “If you manage that, you have already achieved a little something.”

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Van Marwijk hails final berth

Posted on July 7, 2010 by SoccerCapper

Bert van Marwijk has described securing a place in the World Cup final as “unbelievable” after the Netherlands (5/4 to win the World Cup) ousted Uruguay in Tuesday’s semi-final.

The two-time finalists laboured to a 3-2 victory over the South American nation to set up a final date with either Germany or Spain on Sunday.

Despite having not been at their best Holland find themselves one game away from winning their first ever World Cup having lost to Argentina and West Germany in their two previous finals.

Uruguay were missing four key players but pushed Holland all the way in Cape Town after recovering from a slow start and could have gone through themselves.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst gave Holland the lead with one of the goals of the tournament before Diego Forlan equalised.

The Dutch toiled for much of the second half until Wesley Sneijder (3/1 top goalscorer) got the breakthrough on 70 minutes.

Arjen Robben quickly followed that up with a third before Maxi Pereira set up a nervy end with his goal in injury time.

However, Uruguay couldn’t find a third goal to force extra time and their brave World Cup campaign was brought to an end after another defensive minded performance from the Dutch.

Van Marwijk has come in for some criticism for his style of play which goes against the free-flowing football fans have come to expect from the Oranje.

The Feyenoord manager has admitted his brand of football isn’t the most attractive but claims Dutch fans won’t care if they win the World Cup on Sunday night.

“It’s amazing that we have managed to do this. It’s been 32 years,” he said.

“It is unbelievable. We can be very proud for such a small country.

“After the second and third (goals) we should have scored a fourth. That would have prevented that final phase.

“But this is a World Cup. It doesn’t matter how you do it, it’s all about the result.”

No doubt Van Marwijk will be watching Wednesday’s second semi-final with avid interest to discover who they will face in Soccer City.

Germany (evens to reach the final) have looked good throughout the tournament while Spain have stumbled their way through the proceeding rounds at times.

However, La Furia will no doubt give the Germans a tough match and it should be a close game to decide who will contest the final.

Holland should be full of confidence whoever they face having won every match they have played in the tournament thus far.

The Dutch are now the 5/4 favourites with totesport to win the World Cup while Spain have gone to 2/1 and Germany 11/5.