MATCH THREAD - Holland vs Argentina - World Cup Semi Final - 9PM KO (UK Time) - Wednesday 9th June

[ijjysmith]

Vs

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie may miss the World Cup semi-final after struggling with a stomach complaint.

But midfielder Nigel de Jong could feature after recovering from a groin injury, which was expected to rule him out for the rest of the tournament.

Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria is out because of a thigh injury but may return in his country's final match.

Striker Sergio Aguero is available after a thigh problem and left-back Marcos Rojo will return after a ban.

Dutch injury doubts Ron Vlaar and Leroy Fer took part in full training on Tuesday, but Van Persie trained away from his team-mates.

However, manager Louis van Gaal said the Manchester United striker would only play if he was completely fit.


"Robin van Persie has an intestinal problem and I didn't want to take a risk," said Van Gaal. "He is a very important player for us.

"In principle, my captains always play, but only if they're 100%."

AC Milan's De Jong has not played since tearing a groin muscle during his side's 2-1 victory over Mexico in the last 16 on 29 June.

He was expected to be out for up to four weeks, but has returned to training.

"If his reaction is good and he can play, then the miracle can come true," added Van Gaal.

 

[Deleted member 28206]

FIST

 

[Moomin]

Silver

 

[tommye]

c'mon the Dutch.


win me that sweep

 

[Bigmaclad]

Come on the Nederlandz

 

[rascal]

I wonder who die deutschland mannschaft would prefer to play. Have a feeling that they would prefer Argentina.

 

[Kiwi]

They'd like holland for the rivalry I think. but yeah holland 2 Argentina 1, I need this for the predictor tourno, If I get it I go from like 7th to 1st

 

[TX Bill]

ARG 2-1 NED

 

[Rook]

GER-ARG would be such a fun final. Get the feeling that GER-NED would be 0-0 or 1-1 all the way to pens

 

[Fuleco]

Some sad news: Journalist and friend of Messi Jorge Lopez died in a car accident in Brazil today.

 

[hesmagicyouknow]

Messi deserves a World-Cup

 

[hesmagicyouknow]

Can put to bed all this "Messi never won a World-Cup" bollocks, he's the best ever.

 

[Dutch Toffee]

Messi deserves a World-Cup

Messi will just have to wait, the overrated midget.
























*well hopefully that is.*

 

[Walken]

time for europe to flex their muscles again

 

[dholliday]

I wonder who die deutschland mannschaft would prefer to play. Have a feeling that they would prefer Argentina.

is right. The Holland game would be very 50/50, it's a no-love-lost full-on derby. Still a lot of bad feelings about Rijkaard's disgusting spitting, even tho' we won that game. The rivalry was quite intense in the late-80's, early-90's, and many German fans are very wary of meeting a physical fouling Holland ala WC Final 2010. And the Dutch just plain don't like us. That, plus it'd be their 4th World Cup Final, having lost the previous 3. They must be devilishly-itching to finally win one.

vs Argentina there is a more healthy rivalry, even if the 1990 final was hard work. Argentina represent redemption for Germany in a couple of ways: wining the '90 final after losing the '86 final against them. And beating them at the '06 Quarterfinals which represented the first Major Nation Germany knocked out of the World Cup since 1990. A huge deal at the time (you might remember Lehmann and his secret note stashed in his socks for the penalty shootout).


So yeah, most Germans if really pushed and being honest would plump for the Argies. It'd also be good for the tournament, as then we wouldn't have yet another all-Euro final (like 06 & 10), everyone loves Leo Messi and who really apart from masochists want a Brazil vs Argentina 3rd-place play-off and a Germany vs Holland final?


hmmm...that masochist option would deffo be the neutral's favourite choice.