uruguay vs netherlands

uruguay vs netherlands


Uruguay vs. Netherlands: World Cup Semifinals Showdown










CAPE TOWN, South Africa — The World Cup turned sour for South America in the quarterfinals. Only one team from the continent advanced – Uruguay, the least likely of all to make the final four.

Yet here the Celeste are, ready to play the Netherlands on Tuesday night for a spot in the World Cup final. The last nation to make the 32-team field, needing a playoff against Costa Rica to get in, Uruguay is alive and well in South Africa.

"Uruguay is a strong side and we will have to be very concentrated," Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said. "They are fighters, survivors."

Indeed. From that two-game playoff with Costa Rica to winning their first-round group and not allowing a goal, the Uruguayans have made an impressive showing. They punctuated it with wins over South Korea 2-1 in the second round and Ghana 4-2 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals.

Tough as they have been, the Uruguayans needed the "hand of Suarez" to stay in the tournament.

Striker Luis Suarez blocked a Ghana shot with his arm at the goal line in the final seconds of extra time on Friday night. He drew a red card and is suspended for the semifinal, but Asamoah Gyan hit the crossbar with the ensuing penalty kick.

Reprieved, Uruguay won the shootout, and Suarez was hailed as a hero back home.

But he's also been accused by some of cheating. That annoys coach Oscar Tabarez.

"It's a shame that people are speculating that," he said. "It (the handball) was a natural reaction). The player didn't know that they were going to miss the penalty."









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source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/06/uruguay-vs-netherlands-wo_n_636204.html