Van Marwijk does not want to talk about the final

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

All in the Netherlands dream of spot in the final of the World Cup, especially now that a relatively small nation is Holland's opponent in the semifinal.

Dutch manager Bert van Marwijk said yesterday that he doesn't want to think about the 11th of July yet. "First we have to think about Uruguay. It's not for nothing they got this far."

"I hear a lot of people talk about the final. But Uruguay are tough customers. They play with a lot of passion and they work hard. We have great respect for this team."

Uruguay will have to do without the suspended Ajax-player Luis Suarez, but it means little to Van Marwijk. "I am not sure whether that's an advantage for us. We know him well and our defenders know how he plays. But they can put on 11 players, whether Suarez can play or not. We'll have to come up with an answer. What that answer will be you will see tomorrow (tonight, df). I shall not put my entire tactical plan on the table."

For Uruguay being in the semifinal is a miracle. But Van Marwijk emphasized it's not daily business for Holland either. They have been there three times. Twice they went on to the final (in 1974 and 1978) and once (in 1998) they were knocked out by Brazil. "But we're not happy yet. And even if we make it to the final I shall not be rubbing my hands, for I want to win that final." One reporter then remarked that Van Marwijk could walk in the footsteps of the great Rinus Michels, who made it to the 1974 final with Holland. It meant little to Van Marwijk at this point. "I have great respect for the people who have been successful with the Dutch team in the past. But I am not here to talk about that. We'll have to try and win the semifinal."

Like Johan Cruyff did on Monday Van Marwijk was full of praise for Dirk Kuyt, who was not undisputed among followers at the start of the tournament, 3½ weeks ago. He is now. "Kuyt is a key player for us. He always gives a signal to anyone out there. His commitment and his enthusiasm affect the entire team. I believe Benitez (Liverpool manager, df) once said that Kuyt is the first name he puts down when he's making his lineup. That says a lot."

Robin van Persie was undisputed before the start of the tournament, but he's not anymore. The Arsenal striker has so far played a very poor tournament, only scoring one goal and drawing most attention with his reaction to his substitution against Slovakia.

Yet Van Marwijk keeps putting him in the starting lineup. "Robin is one of the best players in the world. But he's been out with a long injury this season and he lacks match rhythm. Yet against Brazil I thought it was going much better. Players with such talent can play a big game all of a sudden and be decisive."

The Dutch manager also reacted to the criticism on Arjen Robben after the game against Brazil. Robben has the image of being a diver and was again depicted as such in many foreign newsmedia. Van Marwijk stood up for his forward. "He used to dive in the past. But he is past that stage. Arjen is fast, creative and looks to round is opponents. At this level you might get tripped and then you're on the floor. It's not him, it's his opponents.

Van Marwijk can not dispose of Gregory van der Wiel and Nigel de Jong because of suspensions. They shall be replaced by Khalid Boulahrouz and Demy de Zeeuw. Van Marwijk doesn't expect these replacements to be a problem. "You know you will confronted with injuries and suspensions during a tournament like this. This is the first time we have to deal with suspensions, but we have good replacements."