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Iceland v Netherlands – Preview

Having taken maximum points from their opening five matches in Group 9 of World Cup qualifying, Holland go into their next match with Iceland knowing that a win would guarantee progression to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Bert van Marwijk’s side currently top the group which also involves Scotland, and they will be eager to secure qualification as soon as possible.

Team 
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
 Netherlands 5 5 0 0 12 1 +11 15
 Scotland 5 2 1 2 4 6 ?2 7
 Iceland 5 1 1 3 5 8 ?3 4
 FYR Macedonia 4 1 0 3 2 7 ?5 3
 Norway 3 0 2 1 2 3 ?1 2

Head-to-Head

        In the nine times the two nations have met, Holland have come out on top on eight occasions, with a hitherto unbeaten record drawing the other; also putting an impressive total of 31 goals past the Icelanders and conceding just three times. The Netherlands maintained that record the last time the teams met with a 2-0 victory at De Kuip. Joris Mathijsen and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar got the goals for the Oranje that night.

The Opposition

Iceland go into the game with a lot more pressure resting on their cold shoulders than their Dutch counterparts; really needing a win to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the play-offs. Iceland have never qualified for the World Cup finals, or , in fact, the finals of any major international competition. They are best known for Barcelona striker Eidur Gudjohnsen, who won over English fans during his six year spell ar Chelsea. They also have players currently playing in England at Bolton, Portsmouth and Reading.

Gudjohnsen should play just off Heidar Helguson

Key Battles

Robin van Persie v Herman Hreidarsson

Despite the presence of Huntelaar, Robin van Persie is the striker in the Dutch team who can really make things happen. He has been absentfor a major part of Holland’s qualifying campaign due to an injury which also kept him out of much of Arsenal’s season. Nevertheless, he will return to face Herman Hreidarsson who could well start at centre-half for Iceland. The commanding 6 ft 3 defender is the most experienced player in the Iceland squad, and will be aiming to thwart van Persie’s influence on the match. If Hreidarsson, and whoever plays alongside him at the back, fail in containing Holland’s attacking forces, they will  be punished…

  

Andre Ooijer v Eidur Gudjohnsen

This will be a very important battle that could affect the outcome of the match. Many argue Holland’s one major weakness is at the back, and who am I to disagree? Andre Ooijer is still a regular fixture in that Oranje back four, despite the 34 years of life under his belt. Gudjohnsen is 30 himself, but is Iceland’s top scorer in the tournament and poses their biggest threat. If the Barcelona striker is on form, the formula has the potential to be a very dangerous one for Bert van Marwijk.

  

The Verdict: Those battles will play a part in contributing to the final outcome of the match, no doubt. However, I feel the game will be won and lost in the key key battle: the centre of midfield. Holland’s superior quality in the centre should be enough to see the Oranje to victory. Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder’s ability on the ball, complimented by Nigel de Jong’s strength and excellent cover he provides to the back four, will probably be the deciding factor. My money would be on a 3-1 Netherlands win.

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