The Netherlands will not take Uruguay’s challenge lightly in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said on Saturday.
Van Marwijk, who guided the Dutch into their fourth World Cup semi-final with a thrilling 2-1 win over five-time winners Brazil on Friday, said that his side had to prepare themselves for a tough battle against the two-time winners, who reached their first semi-final in 40 years with a penalty shootout win over Ghana.
“They fought and they survived,” said van Marwijk, who took over from Marco van Basten following Euro 2008.
“Like us they deserve their place in the semi-finals and must on no account be underestimated.” Related article:
Van Marwijk, who was capped once as a player, said that even though the Uruguyans, who largely owe their place in the last four thanks to Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan missing a last minute penalty in extra-time, would have several key players suspended so would the Dutch.
“I am certainly not rejoicing over their problems as we also have players suspended in the shape of Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong,” he said.
Uruguay will definitely be without joint leading scorer Luis Suarez – whose handball on the line, which he was red carded for, stopped a certain Ghanaian winner and led to Gyan’s penalty – and Jorge Fucile, while they also have doubts over captain Diego Lugano, who went off in the first-half after suffering a right knee injury.
