The Hindu : Sport / Football : Strong defences predict a low scoreline

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Sunday, Jun 25, 2006

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Strong defences predict a low scoreline

NUREMBERG : Portugal and the Netherlands conceded only one goal in going unbeaten in their first three World Cup matches. With two defences like that, their second round match indicates a low-scoring encounter and one goal may make the difference.

Yet with Luis Figo and Deco on one side and Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie on the other, it's anybody's guess what will happen in Sunday's game between the two European heavyweights.

Odds favour Portugal

If history is anything to go by, the odds favour Portugal.

Portugal will probably field a starting line-up similar to the one that beat the Netherlands 2-1 two years ago, while Dutch coach Marco van Basten has totally revamped his team since.

Portugal looks like it will be fully fit for the match, while only right-back John Heitinga is a doubt for the Netherlands.

Deco trained on his own on Thursday to protect a sore ankle, but the FC Barcelona star should be declared fit on Sunday. The 33-year-old Figo has turned back the clock in his performances so far in the competition and been instrumental in the good run. ``We feel sure we can get past the Netherlands in 90 minutes,'' Maniche said. ``Even if it goes to extra time and penalties, we're in good shape to cope with that.''

Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar represents his team's age and experience, and will become the most capped Dutch player with his 113rd international appearance on Sunday, one more than 1990s defender Frank de Boer.

In front of him, van Basten has produced a balanced and solid team, working like ``clockwork orange'' in defence despite a lack of international experience for some of the players.

But the coach's big doubt will be in attack, where he appears to have partly lost confidence in striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who he has threatened to bench because of a lack of effectiveness.

Van Basten's other option would be Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt, whose sturdy ball possession makes up for a lack of international recognition compared to Manchester United's Van Nistelrooy.

Robben's return

Either way, the side will be boosted by the return of winger Robben, who was sidelined in the Netherlands' scoreless draw with Argentina for tactical reasons, but combined with his counterpart Van Persie on the right to spread defences thin with their wide play.

Robben was voted man of the match in the Netherlands' victories against Serbia-Montenegro and Ivory Coast.

The Dutch will be by far Portugal's toughest opponent so far. The Iberian nation beat Iran, Angola and Mexico in the first round. The new-look Dutch also was unbeaten in its World Cup group, regarded as the toughest in the competition, and held favourite Argentina to a 0-0 draw.

``We can be proud of the team,'' van Basten said. Both teams have been riding a run of good form and neither was beaten in World Cup qualifying.

In fact, the Netherlands' last loss was to Portugal in the Euro 2004 semifinal. The Dutch haven't beaten Portugal in 15 years on only once in nine meetings. ``I don't want to talk about revenge. It will just be a great game, which we will have to win,'' Robben said. The winner will play either England or Ecuador in the quarterfinals. — AP

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