Dutch wary of complacency against Uruguay
Reuters - Saturday 03 July 2010, 12:41
JOHANNESBURG - Netherlands will not take
anything for granted against a dangerous Uruguay team and must
guard against complacency after beating Brazil in the World Cup
quarter-finals, coach Bert van Marwijk said on Saturday.
The Dutch face the South Americans in the last four at Green
Point Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday as favourites to reach the
final of the world's biggest football tournament.
Van Marwijk said there was always a risk of losing focus
after a surprise win, especially against a big team like Brazil.
"I think the next game is a very dangerous game. This is the
moment that I have already talked about for two years," he told
a press briefing following a training session in Johannesburg.
"When you beat Brazil and you are in the last four of the
World Cup then there is a next game coming and the next game is
Uruguay. They are fighters and we have to be very focused."
Uruguay beat Ghana, the last African side in the World Cup,
on Friday after a penalty shootout to reach their first
semi-final in 40 years but will be without striker Luis Suarez,
who was sent off for handling the ball on the line.
STAYING FOCUSED
Van Marwijk said losing Suarez would not significantly
weaken Uruguay because they have good replacements.
The Dutch were also not thinking about a possible final and
did not care at this stage who the opponents might be, should
they beat Uruguay.
"I don't think that way. When you want to be world champions
you have to win every game," he said, adding that looking too
far ahead was risky.
"The message to the team is to keep concentrating
day-by-day, match-by-match and that is what we are going to do."
Dutch striker Robin van Persie was taken to hospital for a
scan on an arm injury, while defender Joris Mathijsen was also
in hospital to check on a knee problem.
Both players did not train on Saturday, with the session
only for those who did not play a full match against Brazil.
Van Marwijk said the injury to Van Persie, who played 85
minutes on Friday, was not serious and his form had improved.
"I think Robin played better against Brazil in the last game
so I have a lot of confidence in Robin van Persie," he said.
Van Persie reacted angrily when he was replaced 10 minutes
before the end of the 2-1 win against Slovakia in the first
knockout round, remonstrating with the coach.
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