13 June 2014

16:00




Spain v Netherlands




Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador

Group B

Big game for the Socceroos, a draw would be a great result, assuming we can beat Chile of course.

Not to brag or anything but I'll be in the Arena Fonte Nova for this one, can't wait!

What a great experience. I just hope it isn't a 0:0 like Holland-Argentina in 2006.

Group B

Spain v Netherlands

Spain 1.91 Draw 3.25 Netherlands 4.00

http://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/international-soccer/world-cup-matches?is_ajax=0&is_future_outrights=1&ev_oc_grp_id=1789

No fear for Spain in Dutch World Cup clash

By Jim Slater, AFPUpdated June 8, 2014, 1:49 pm

Defending champions Spain will arrive in Brazil optimistic about their chances of a repeat and undaunted by Friday's opening game against the Netherlands in a rematch of the 2010 World Cup final.

Melbourne City's guest signing David Villa, Spain's all-time goals leader, lifted his total to 58 with two goals to give his side a 2-0 win over El Salvador in their final warm up match in Washinton on Saturday.

Coming into Brazil - where they face The Netherlands, Chile then Australia in the group stage - as defending champion brings only a sense of pride for Spain, now the target for 31 rivals trying to dethrone them.

"It's important but it doesn't give you any advantage or something like that," Villa said.

"I'm proud of having done it and (I'm going) to work to try to repeat it."

Spain's manager Vicente del Bosque saw some areas he wanted to improve upon after the El Salvador match, as his rivals played a defensive style that took until the 60th minute for Spain to crack for a goal.

"We need to have better creativity, be able to have better chances in the attacking third," del Bosque said.

"We always want to be on the attack and to control the pace of the game."

However he insisted they were not concerned at facing the Dutch first up.

"We don't have any fear. But we do have respect," de Bosque said. "They are runner-up from the last World Cup so we have full respect for Holland.

"We're very optimistic after our training and two friendly matches.

"We are meeting our expectations. We are confident heading into the World Cup."

Spain does not expect to see El Salvador's defensive-minded tactics from World Cup foes, but del Bosque said the victory shows the players are ready to overcome it if necessary.

"That's not what we expect in the World Cup but if we do see that, we're always looking to find space and make the initiative and be attacking the ball," he said.

One area that drew top marks from del Bosque was defence.
"We worked well as a defensive group considering we haven't had a lot of work with the whole group," del Bosque said. "I was pleased with our defence."

https://nz.sports.yahoo.com/football/a-league/news/article/-/24191008/no-fear-for-spain-in-dutch-world-cup-clash/

Hopefully they'll kick 7 shades of shit out of each other and leave us with an easy run home!

Spain.

Casillas
Azpilicueta-Pique-Ramos-Alba
Alonso-Busquets
Silva-Xavi-Iniesta
Costa

Netherlands.

Cillessen
Janmatt-De Vrij-Vlaar-Martins Indi-Blind
Clasie-De Jong
Sneijder
RVP-Robben

Does the dutch formation mean we are scrapping our national 433 program now ?

Yeah

Franjic-McGowan-Spiranovic-Wilkinson-Davidson

Was wondering who Dave was. It's Azpilicueta. I used to think he was Brazilian.

What a chance!

Draw plz

Still trying to work out how Diego Costa can play for Spain when he played twice for Brazil and then got his Spanish passport.

Friendlies, but.

The Dutch have 5 at the back with two of their line pushing up and the rest staying back. It really keeps the Spanish players on side. Something for Ange to note.

Does Ange know you can play five at the back?

Wouldn't a Spanish win be better?

Ben Williams may just be the most competent ref at this world cup.

That was another shocking penalty decision.

What a pass. Dutch defence nowhere.

Yeah Straya gone git raped.

-PB

Wow 1-1

What a goal by rvp.

Wow a header. 1-1. Timmy you know you can do it too.

Whatever it takes for Robben, RVP and Sneijder to get red cards.

Great goal, to underline my point.

The mind literally fucking boggles.

Would take HAL weekly blunders over these kents.

P.S. And that's what Ange will have a hard time defending against; random goals out of nowhere lol

-PB

Van Persie will get the plaudits but that was some ball.