Runner-up at World Cup 2010, the
Netherlands has quickly
established itself one of the sides
to watch in Brazil, having emerged
spectacularly from a dangerous
group, yet in last-16 opponent
Mexico it faces a treacherous task.
Not only will the Dutch have to
battle tenacious and streetwise
foes, they will also have the
elements against them in
Fortaleza’s Castelao stadium.
Temperatures in the shade have
regularly topped 30 degrees
Celsius in the middle of the day,
so their lunchtime kickoff against
the North Americans promises to
be one of the most draining slots
in the whole tournament.
Louis van Gaal’s side has equipped
itself superbly when tested
previously, however. Spain was
spectacularly hammered 5-1 in
their opening game, while dogged
Australia was seen off 3-2 in their
second match. And the Oranje’s
perfect record was maintained
when they dismissed Chile 2-0,
ensuring they finished the group
stage as the competition’s most
prolific side.
Ahead of this test Nigel de Jong,
Daley Blind, Arjen Robben and
Stefan de Vrij all trained separate
from the group with minor knocks,
though they are expected to be fit,
while Robin van Persie makes his
return from suspension. Leroy Fer
is definitely missing, however, and
there are doubts over Bruno
Martins Indi, who is suffering from
concussion.
In Mexico it faces a dangerous
opponent. Wins over Cameroon and
Croatia proved the qualities of
Miguel Herrera’s side, which also
showed a steely face when it held
the hosts to a scoreless draw.
That match against Brazil also took
place in Fortaleza, so the Mexicans
have some idea of what to expect
from Estadio Castelao, though with
an earlier kickoff, conditions will
likely be tougher for a team that
has so far played an intense
pressing game.
Twice previously the Mexicans have
advanced to the quarterfinal stage
of the World Cup, though both of
these occasions came on home soil,
and in each of the last five
competitions they have fallen
immediately after successfully
negotiating the group phase.
If this history counts against them,
el Tri can draw upon a more
encouraging record with regards
their recent history against
European sides in the competition
- they have lost only two of their
last 11 fixtures.
While there are no injured players
in Mexico’s ranks, a suspension for
Jose Juan Vazquez could prompt a
change of system that may see
Javier Hernandez start for the first
time in Brazil, though this is by no
means certain.
Netherlands has quickly
established itself one of the sides
to watch in Brazil, having emerged
spectacularly from a dangerous
group, yet in last-16 opponent
Mexico it faces a treacherous task.
Not only will the Dutch have to
battle tenacious and streetwise
foes, they will also have the
elements against them in
Fortaleza’s Castelao stadium.
Temperatures in the shade have
regularly topped 30 degrees
Celsius in the middle of the day,
so their lunchtime kickoff against
the North Americans promises to
be one of the most draining slots
in the whole tournament.
Louis van Gaal’s side has equipped
itself superbly when tested
previously, however. Spain was
spectacularly hammered 5-1 in
their opening game, while dogged
Australia was seen off 3-2 in their
second match. And the Oranje’s
perfect record was maintained
when they dismissed Chile 2-0,
ensuring they finished the group
stage as the competition’s most
prolific side.
Ahead of this test Nigel de Jong,
Daley Blind, Arjen Robben and
Stefan de Vrij all trained separate
from the group with minor knocks,
though they are expected to be fit,
while Robin van Persie makes his
return from suspension. Leroy Fer
is definitely missing, however, and
there are doubts over Bruno
Martins Indi, who is suffering from
concussion.
In Mexico it faces a dangerous
opponent. Wins over Cameroon and
Croatia proved the qualities of
Miguel Herrera’s side, which also
showed a steely face when it held
the hosts to a scoreless draw.
That match against Brazil also took
place in Fortaleza, so the Mexicans
have some idea of what to expect
from Estadio Castelao, though with
an earlier kickoff, conditions will
likely be tougher for a team that
has so far played an intense
pressing game.
Twice previously the Mexicans have
advanced to the quarterfinal stage
of the World Cup, though both of
these occasions came on home soil,
and in each of the last five
competitions they have fallen
immediately after successfully
negotiating the group phase.
If this history counts against them,
el Tri can draw upon a more
encouraging record with regards
their recent history against
European sides in the competition
- they have lost only two of their
last 11 fixtures.
While there are no injured players
in Mexico’s ranks, a suspension for
Jose Juan Vazquez could prompt a
change of system that may see
Javier Hernandez start for the first
time in Brazil, though this is by no
means certain.
