NETHERLANDS vs. CHILE
Date: June 23, 2014
Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 0-0-1
Last Match: 1928 Olympics (Consolation Round). Netherlands tied Chile 2-2.
Line: Netherlands +145
Group B Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Netherlands (15th), Chile (14th)
Managers: Louis van Gaal (NED), Jorge Sampaoli (CHI)
Captains: Robin van Persie (NED), Claudio Bravo (CHI)
World Cup Appearances: 10 (NED), 9 (CHI)
Best Finish: Netherlands (3x Runners-Up, Last in 2010), Chile (Third Place, 1962)
Qualifying Records: Netherlands (9-0-1, GF: 34, GA: 5), Chile (9-6-1, GF: 29, GA: 25)
Previous Game Results
Netherlands
Chile
June 13th - Chile def. Australia 3-1
June 18th - Chile def. Spain 2-0
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Chile: Mauricio Isla (Probable - Hamstring), Eugenio Mena (Yellow Card), Arturo Vidal (Yellow Card), Charles Aranguiz (Yellow Card)
Overview
Two of the most exciting teams so far in this World Cup will square off to determine first place in Group B and who likely escapes an upcoming Round of 16 match with Brazil.
With 13 goals in 4 games between the two teams, this figures to be another high-scoring affair as the Dutch send their efficient offensive attack up against Chile's all-out attacking style.
Chile enter with little in the way of injuries although midfielders Arturo Vidal and Mauricio Isla have knocks and may be rested (Vidal also has a yellow card to his name). The Dutch have a pair of selection issues as defender Bruno Martins Indi suffered a concussion against Australia. He has not trained fully since and is questionable to play today. The Dutch are also without Robin van Persie at striker due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Memphis Depay or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are expected to replace him.
Chile have played a type of 3-4-1-2 formation this tournament and should figure to go with that again today in order to pressure a Dutch midfield that struggled to maintain possession against an energetic Australian team last week. Would not be surprised though if Chile do drop a 4th defender down in case they are overrun by the likes of Arjen Robben.
Netherlands alternated between a 5-3-2 and a 4-3-3 last game when Martins Indi went out. It's not yet known which formation they'll go with today. If they do go to a 4-3-3, expect Daley Blind to slot in to the midfield next to de Guzman and de Jong and Wesley Sneijder to take up a true forward role rather then as an attacking midfielder.
Netherlands can win the group with a draw while Chile need a win due to the tiebreaker. Don't miss this game, it should be exciting to watch.
Personnel
In the Dutch Third: The Dutch defence was great against Spain but had some very shaky moments against Australia. Lost track of Cahill on multiple occasions and allowed too many passes in to their box. Could also be without Martins Indi who has been a physical presence at the back. Chile overwhelmed Spain with speed and quick passing and the Dutch will have problems coping with that as well. Advantage: Chile.
In the Midfield: Chile will test Netherlands' ability to beat pressure which is what this battle will come to. Chile love the quick attack and counter so if the Dutch can control possession here then they should have the upper hand in the match. They'll have the ball for the majority but have to be very careful not to give up too many fast breaks to Chile. Advantage: Even.
In the Chilean Third: Surprisingly compact and organized against Spain, Chile will be happy to see Robin van Persie not suited up for the Dutch. That still leaves a world of other problems to deal with. The Dutch can attack the Chilean penalty area aerially which is always a concern for the small Chilean defence. And the speed and dribbling of players like Robben and Sneijder have been too much for any opponent to handle so far in this tournament. Only France have been as prolific scoring this tournament as the Dutch have and Chile are not equipped to shut down a strong and organized offensive attack. Advantage: Netherlands.
Goalkeeping: Neither Bravo or Cillessen has surrendered a bad goal in this tournament. Bravo a bit more control of his penalty area though and a bit more experience. Advantage: Chile, slightly.
With 13 goals in 4 games between the two teams, this figures to be another high-scoring affair as the Dutch send their efficient offensive attack up against Chile's all-out attacking style.
Chile enter with little in the way of injuries although midfielders Arturo Vidal and Mauricio Isla have knocks and may be rested (Vidal also has a yellow card to his name). The Dutch have a pair of selection issues as defender Bruno Martins Indi suffered a concussion against Australia. He has not trained fully since and is questionable to play today. The Dutch are also without Robin van Persie at striker due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Memphis Depay or Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are expected to replace him.
Chile have played a type of 3-4-1-2 formation this tournament and should figure to go with that again today in order to pressure a Dutch midfield that struggled to maintain possession against an energetic Australian team last week. Would not be surprised though if Chile do drop a 4th defender down in case they are overrun by the likes of Arjen Robben.
Netherlands alternated between a 5-3-2 and a 4-3-3 last game when Martins Indi went out. It's not yet known which formation they'll go with today. If they do go to a 4-3-3, expect Daley Blind to slot in to the midfield next to de Guzman and de Jong and Wesley Sneijder to take up a true forward role rather then as an attacking midfielder.
Netherlands can win the group with a draw while Chile need a win due to the tiebreaker. Don't miss this game, it should be exciting to watch.
Personnel
In the Dutch Third: The Dutch defence was great against Spain but had some very shaky moments against Australia. Lost track of Cahill on multiple occasions and allowed too many passes in to their box. Could also be without Martins Indi who has been a physical presence at the back. Chile overwhelmed Spain with speed and quick passing and the Dutch will have problems coping with that as well. Advantage: Chile.
In the Midfield: Chile will test Netherlands' ability to beat pressure which is what this battle will come to. Chile love the quick attack and counter so if the Dutch can control possession here then they should have the upper hand in the match. They'll have the ball for the majority but have to be very careful not to give up too many fast breaks to Chile. Advantage: Even.
In the Chilean Third: Surprisingly compact and organized against Spain, Chile will be happy to see Robin van Persie not suited up for the Dutch. That still leaves a world of other problems to deal with. The Dutch can attack the Chilean penalty area aerially which is always a concern for the small Chilean defence. And the speed and dribbling of players like Robben and Sneijder have been too much for any opponent to handle so far in this tournament. Only France have been as prolific scoring this tournament as the Dutch have and Chile are not equipped to shut down a strong and organized offensive attack. Advantage: Netherlands.
Goalkeeping: Neither Bravo or Cillessen has surrendered a bad goal in this tournament. Bravo a bit more control of his penalty area though and a bit more experience. Advantage: Chile, slightly.
Netherlands will win if:
Control the midfield and limit the turnovers conceded to Chile. Chile can pounce on a turnover as fast as any team in the world and has finishers all over the field to work the counter-attack. The Dutch like to push their wing backs forward to get pressure offensively, but they need to be midfield supporters primarily today to ensure the Dutch hang on to the ball and can work it forward in an organized manner, preventing the Chileans from countering them with speed.
Chile will win if:
Repeat whatever they did defensively to Spain against the Dutch. Chile gets a bad defensive rap and occasionally for good reason, but they were excellent against the Spanish. Constant pressure in the midfield kept Spain from getting sustained pressure on their penalty area and they dropped midfielders back in to the defensive line when they were under pressure to keep an organized line at the back. The Dutch are more ruthless and deadly in attack and will push the Chilean defence to their limits. If they can repel the Dutch like they did Spain, they'll win the group.
GOALS, GOALS, GOALS! I regret that already because my predictions have been way off the last couple days and I don't want to jinx what should be a fun game but that's the reality. Both teams questionable on the defensive line and have attacking players that can beat you in no time at all. The Dutch will miss van Persie but don't know if his absence is enough to give Chile the edge.
Netherlands 2-2 Chile
No comments:
Post a Comment