Basking In Hope And Expectations

For one reason or the other, the Netherlands are being overlooked as one of the favourites for the World Cup finals and although this may be justified in light of their lack of recent success in the tournament, to completely write off their chances would be to severely undermine the Dutch talent.

The Dutch comfortably qualified for the finale in South Africa as they won all their games in their qualifying group in Europe, scoring 17 goals and conceding just twice in eight games.

However, Bert van Marwijk's side have failed to win either of their last two friendly matches and haven't scored in them either. They drew 0-0 with Italy on November 14 and four days later were held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay in Eindhoven. Although it is encouraging from a defensive point of view as they have not conceded any goal, it is a surprise that they couldn't score as they have loads of talent upfront.

The Oranje are set to lock horns with the USA and will look to find some goals against the Americans on Wednesday evening.

Confident But Wary

The USA have never beaten the Dutch and indeed it is not a very good way to start the New Year in terms of playing international matches against European sides. Of course, the Americans are not superpowers of the world's most popular game and they will certainly be wary of taking on the Netherlands at the Amsterdam ArenA.

At the moment the USA are in an evaluation process with coach Bob Bradley still looking to arrange his team. The USA won the CONCACAF qualifiers as expected and crafted a shock at the 2009 Confederations when they defeated Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals. So to put the Americans in the minnows category would be showing disrespect towards them.

However, it will be interesting to see the approach and mentality that the Americans come with for this game. A win in Amsterdam on Wednesday is probably beyond them but a draw will be embraced with glee as that will show that the Americans do have the ability to compete with Europe's strongest sides on a regular basis.

FORM GUIDE

Netherlands

November 18 v Paraguay (H) - DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

November 14 v Italy (A) - DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

October 10 v Australia (A) - DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

September 9 v Scotland (A) - WON 1-0 (WCQ)

September 5 v Japan (H) - WON 3-0 (Friendly)

USA

February 24 v El Salvador (H) - WON 2-1 (Friendly)

January 23 v Honduras (H) - LOST 3-1 (Friendly)

November 18 v Denmark (A) - LOST 3-1 (Friendly)

November 14 v Slovakia (A) - LOST 1-0 (Friendly)

October 14 v Costa Rica (H) - DREW 2-2 (WCQ)


TEAM NEWS

Netherlands

Ron Vlaar has been recalled to the Dutch national side for the first time in four years. The 25-year-old centre-back's last international appearance was against Italy in November 2005. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has been included in the 23-man squad and is likely to start upfront and so will Arjen Robben, who is having a galactic season at Bayern Munich after signing from Real Madrid in the summer. Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder will be the architect-in-chief from the midfield.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Stekenlenburg, Heitinga, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst; De Jong, Sneijder, Van Bommel; Kuyt, Huntelaar, Robben

USA

Clint Dempsey, Oguchi Onyewu and Charlie Davies have not been included in the squad as they are injured at the moment. Clarence Goodson and DaMarcus Beasley have been given probably their final chance to show in what way they are important to the squad. Maurice Edu is likely to start alongside Michael Bradley in central midfield and Jozy Altidore will be the main striker upfront.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Howard, Spector, DeMerit, Bocanegra, Bornstein; Holden, Edu, Bradley, Donovan; Johnson, Altidore


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arjen Robben (Netherlands)

The 26-year-old winger has been in excellent form for Bayern Munich this season and has scored eight times in the league and has also provided five assists. He has been a revelation for Bayern since joining the club from Real Madrid in the summer. The Dutchman's display for the national side hasn't always been top class but he will be looking forward to torment the US defenders with his pace and tricks down the flanks.

Maurice Edu (USA)

The Glasgow Rangers midfielder scored a stoppage-time winner in the Old Firm derby at the weekend as Rangers overcame Celtic. He found himself in the right place at the right time and pounced on the ball to score. Edu will start against the Dutch on Wednesday and will work hard in central midfield to combat the opposition.

PREDICTION

The Americans should not be taken lightly as they showed against Spain in the Confederations Cup in 2009. However, it is hard to see the USA take anything from this game and the Dutch should win by at least thee goals.

Netherlands 3-0 USA
Basking In Hope And Expectations

For one reason or the other, the Netherlands are being overlooked as one of the favourites for the World Cup finals and although this may be justified in light of their lack of recent success in the tournament, to completely write off their chances would be to severely undermine the Dutch talent.

The Dutch comfortably qualified for the finale in South Africa as they won all their games in their qualifying group in Europe, scoring 17 goals and conceding just twice in eight games.

However, Bert van Marwijk's side have failed to win either of their last two friendly matches and haven't scored in them either. They drew 0-0 with Italy on November 14 and four days later were held to a 0-0 draw by Paraguay in Eindhoven. Although it is encouraging from a defensive point of view as they have not conceded any goal, it is a surprise that they couldn't score as they have loads of talent upfront.

The Oranje are set to lock horns with the USA and will look to find some goals against the Americans on Wednesday evening.

Confident But Wary

The USA have never beaten the Dutch and indeed it is not a very good way to start the New Year in terms of playing international matches against European sides. Of course, the Americans are not superpowers of the world's most popular game and they will certainly be wary of taking on the Netherlands at the Amsterdam ArenA.

At the moment the USA are in an evaluation process with coach Bob Bradley still looking to arrange his team. The USA won the CONCACAF qualifiers as expected and crafted a shock at the 2009 Confederations when they defeated Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals. So to put the Americans in the minnows category would be showing disrespect towards them.

However, it will be interesting to see the approach and mentality that the Americans come with for this game. A win in Amsterdam on Wednesday is probably beyond them but a draw will be embraced with glee as that will show that the Americans do have the ability to compete with Europe's strongest sides on a regular basis.

FORM GUIDE

Netherlands

November 18 v Paraguay (H) - DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

November 14 v Italy (A) - DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

October 10 v Australia (A) - DREW 0-0 (Friendly)

September 9 v Scotland (A) - WON 1-0 (WCQ)

September 5 v Japan (H) - WON 3-0 (Friendly)

USA

February 24 v El Salvador (H) - WON 2-1 (Friendly)

January 23 v Honduras (H) - LOST 3-1 (Friendly)

November 18 v Denmark (A) - LOST 3-1 (Friendly)

November 14 v Slovakia (A) - LOST 1-0 (Friendly)

October 14 v Costa Rica (H) - DREW 2-2 (WCQ)


TEAM NEWS

Netherlands

Ron Vlaar has been recalled to the Dutch national side for the first time in four years. The 25-year-old centre-back's last international appearance was against Italy in November 2005. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has been included in the 23-man squad and is likely to start upfront and so will Arjen Robben, who is having a galactic season at Bayern Munich after signing from Real Madrid in the summer. Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder will be the architect-in-chief from the midfield.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Stekenlenburg, Heitinga, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst; De Jong, Sneijder, Van Bommel; Kuyt, Huntelaar, Robben

USA

Clint Dempsey, Oguchi Onyewu and Charlie Davies have not been included in the squad as they are injured at the moment. Clarence Goodson and DaMarcus Beasley have been given probably their final chance to show in what way they are important to the squad. Maurice Edu is likely to start alongside Michael Bradley in central midfield and Jozy Altidore will be the main striker upfront.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Howard, Spector, DeMerit, Bocanegra, Bornstein; Holden, Edu, Bradley, Donovan; Johnson, Altidore


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arjen Robben (Netherlands)

The 26-year-old winger has been in excellent form for Bayern Munich this season and has scored eight times in the league and has also provided five assists. He has been a revelation for Bayern since joining the club from Real Madrid in the summer. The Dutchman's display for the national side hasn't always been top class but he will be looking forward to torment the US defenders with his pace and tricks down the flanks.

Maurice Edu (USA)

The Glasgow Rangers midfielder scored a stoppage-time winner in the Old Firm derby at the weekend as Rangers overcame Celtic. He found himself in the right place at the right time and pounced on the ball to score. Edu will start against the Dutch on Wednesday and will work hard in central midfield to combat the opposition.

PREDICTION

The Americans should not be taken lightly as they showed against Spain in the Confederations Cup in 2009. However, it is hard to see the USA take anything from this game and the Dutch should win by at least thee goals.

Netherlands 3-0 USA