Tabarez: "Holland are not unstoppable"

Sunday, 4 July 2010

Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez spoke with great respect of the Dutch national team. The 63-year-old knows his team are not favorites to win Tuesday's semifinal against the Netherlands.

"It will be hard, but not impossible," Tabarez said yesterday.

Manager of the national team since 2006, Tabarez had clearly done his homework. He knew Holland hasn't lost since September 2008. "This generation play a different style than Holland used to do. It's a very balanced team."

Tabarez hailed the Dutch defense. "They don't allow anything at the back. It's put together well. In terms of defense this Oranje are very different from Dutch teams of the past, who would slip up at the back or just didn't consider it very important."

The experienced coach knows Holland have capable players in their other lines as well. "They have skillful midfielders, like Van Bommel, Sneijder and Robben, and players who are both technically skilled and very strong like Dirk Kuyt. Besides this team has remained true to Holland's traditional offensive approach."

Tabarez is dealing with a number of personnel problems, but he is not overly concerned: "I have enough players in my squad to put together a team that I trust in. I believe we have proven our capabilities. Twenty of my 23 players have been out there already."