Argentina v Holland: two teams on the up, both fancying their
chances – it’s too close to call and I won’t dare predict a result. Our
neighbours and the Dutch have deservedly made it to the semi-finals and
Wednesday’s game in São Paulo promises to be an occasion we will
remember for a long time judging by how the teams have fared at this
World Cup.
Let’s start with Argentina. It was clear from the start that Lionel Messi would be their focal point in this tournament and he has delivered when they needed him most, either through vitals goals or assists, or making moves that opened up spaces or created chances for others. That latter scenario we saw in the game against Belgium. Gonzalo Higuaín was the scorer but Messi had created enough havoc to allow the Napoli striker to pounce on that ball.
A crucial factor for Argentina in the knockout stages has been the improvement in their defensive system. A lot of experts predicted problems in this area and they were exposed in some matches – the Nigeria game, for example. Now, however, Alejandro Sabella seems to have steadied them and the way they kept Belgium at bay in the quarter-finals was impressive.
Messi is their trump card though. A great player like him always has some unpredictable move left in his repertoire no matter how much you study him. It’s not to say that opponents haven’t made his life difficult – I think he had a pretty deflating game against Belgium – but as soon as they blinked Messi got through and would have scored if any keeper other than Thibaut Courtois had been there.
Argentina still depend a lot on Messi and that will only increase now that Ángel di María seems to be out of the tournament. Messi articulates all their offensive movement and now he has lost the only team-mate that could take some of the burden from his shoulders.
Aside from improving at the back, it also seems clear that Argentina’s players have bought into Sabella’s philosophy and are ready to do pretty much what he tells them.
Holland’s graph is also rising but unlike Argentina they are not so dependent upon one player. In Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie they have an attacking trio that is clicking at the right time.
I am amazed by how the Dutch have defied expectations. Before the competition I predicted Holland could be knocked out in the group stage and I am happy they proved me wrong.
Holland have created more chances than anyone at this World Cup and you just have to remember what they did to Spain in the first round to see how lethal they can be. That result changed their tournament because it gave the Dutch a huge morale boost. You score five against the world champions and you had better feel good.
Having said that, one has to be worried about how many chances they missed against Costa Rica. At this stage matches can be decided by one ball and Holland could have rued their missed chances if they had lost the shootout. But they didn’t thanks to Tim Krul and Louis van Gaal. The manager’s decision to replace the keeper for the penalties was ballsy and absolutely crazy but also one of the most brilliant in this World Cup.
Van Gaal showed complete knowledge of his team and I am sure he had everything ready in his mind for that situation. Just look at his substitutions during the Costa Rica game. He held one back but still sent on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the place of a defender. He never looked out of ideas in that game and having watched some of their training sessions in Rio, I am sure Van Gaal has a plan for everything he might face in this tournament.
That man is always thinking. During the water break in the Mexico game he gathered his players like an NBA coach and started showing them instructions on a little clipboard in the shape of a football pitch. That shows leadership and the fact he has got the players’ attentions. Above all, Van Gaal has changed his team and system according to each opponent, and I am sure he has a plan to deal with Messi.
In terms of fitness, Holland have been through some tough games under the north-eastern sun in Brazil but I haven’t seen them struggling as much as other teams. Even Germany looked more tired when they finished their quarter-final against France.
I think the Dutch have got enough in reserve to match Argentina – this could be even more intense than some games we have seen so far. Both teams have peaked at the right time and I reckon this semi-final could be decided by very tiny details.
Argentina will once again be hoping Messi can produce one magical move while Holland will trust in their collective efforts and Van Gaal’s supreme reading of the game. There will be many winners in this semi-final, for all of us can look forward to a cracking football game.
Let’s start with Argentina. It was clear from the start that Lionel Messi would be their focal point in this tournament and he has delivered when they needed him most, either through vitals goals or assists, or making moves that opened up spaces or created chances for others. That latter scenario we saw in the game against Belgium. Gonzalo Higuaín was the scorer but Messi had created enough havoc to allow the Napoli striker to pounce on that ball.
A crucial factor for Argentina in the knockout stages has been the improvement in their defensive system. A lot of experts predicted problems in this area and they were exposed in some matches – the Nigeria game, for example. Now, however, Alejandro Sabella seems to have steadied them and the way they kept Belgium at bay in the quarter-finals was impressive.
Messi is their trump card though. A great player like him always has some unpredictable move left in his repertoire no matter how much you study him. It’s not to say that opponents haven’t made his life difficult – I think he had a pretty deflating game against Belgium – but as soon as they blinked Messi got through and would have scored if any keeper other than Thibaut Courtois had been there.
Argentina still depend a lot on Messi and that will only increase now that Ángel di María seems to be out of the tournament. Messi articulates all their offensive movement and now he has lost the only team-mate that could take some of the burden from his shoulders.
Aside from improving at the back, it also seems clear that Argentina’s players have bought into Sabella’s philosophy and are ready to do pretty much what he tells them.
Holland’s graph is also rising but unlike Argentina they are not so dependent upon one player. In Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie they have an attacking trio that is clicking at the right time.
I am amazed by how the Dutch have defied expectations. Before the competition I predicted Holland could be knocked out in the group stage and I am happy they proved me wrong.
Holland have created more chances than anyone at this World Cup and you just have to remember what they did to Spain in the first round to see how lethal they can be. That result changed their tournament because it gave the Dutch a huge morale boost. You score five against the world champions and you had better feel good.
Having said that, one has to be worried about how many chances they missed against Costa Rica. At this stage matches can be decided by one ball and Holland could have rued their missed chances if they had lost the shootout. But they didn’t thanks to Tim Krul and Louis van Gaal. The manager’s decision to replace the keeper for the penalties was ballsy and absolutely crazy but also one of the most brilliant in this World Cup.
Van Gaal showed complete knowledge of his team and I am sure he had everything ready in his mind for that situation. Just look at his substitutions during the Costa Rica game. He held one back but still sent on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar in the place of a defender. He never looked out of ideas in that game and having watched some of their training sessions in Rio, I am sure Van Gaal has a plan for everything he might face in this tournament.
That man is always thinking. During the water break in the Mexico game he gathered his players like an NBA coach and started showing them instructions on a little clipboard in the shape of a football pitch. That shows leadership and the fact he has got the players’ attentions. Above all, Van Gaal has changed his team and system according to each opponent, and I am sure he has a plan to deal with Messi.
In terms of fitness, Holland have been through some tough games under the north-eastern sun in Brazil but I haven’t seen them struggling as much as other teams. Even Germany looked more tired when they finished their quarter-final against France.
I think the Dutch have got enough in reserve to match Argentina – this could be even more intense than some games we have seen so far. Both teams have peaked at the right time and I reckon this semi-final could be decided by very tiny details.
Argentina will once again be hoping Messi can produce one magical move while Holland will trust in their collective efforts and Van Gaal’s supreme reading of the game. There will be many winners in this semi-final, for all of us can look forward to a cracking football game.
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