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| Friday, 15 June 2012 13:19 | ||||||||
Portugal-Netherlands: tactical preview
In Group B, the so-called Group of Death, everything is still up for grabs, even for Germany, on six points. No team has clinched qualification yet and all of them stand to be eliminated, with the right set of results. Next Sunday, Portugal and the Netherlands will meet for a decisive match, a match which the Dutch need to win by a two-goal margin and hope that Germany won't rest on their laurels against Denmark.
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Van Persie is often keen on receiving through balls in behind the defence.
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Defence
Despite having two particularly defensive-minded holding midfielders in Van Bommel and De Jong, this Dutch team does not seem as airtight as it did two years ago in South Africa, even though many of their starters remain the same. Oddly enough for two players with their experience, both Van Bommel and De Jong have been dragged out of position too easily, although it is fair to say that, given the lack of defensive support from the four forwards, they do have a lot of ground to cover. In their previous match, for instance, most of Germany's scoring opportunities came from overloading the Netherlands' left wing, forcing the holding midfielders out wide, and then attacking the space where they were supposed to be. Despite Willem's valiant efforts, the team still remain afraid of letting him on his own against aggressive wingers.
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Both Van Bommel and De Jong tend to help out defensively on the left.
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Germany's two assists came from similar areas and similar plays
after forcing the two Dutch holding midfielders out. |
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The Netherlands clearly pay more attention to their left wing,
virtually neglecting the middle of the park. |
Furthermore, Mathijsen and Heitinga are slow centre-backs who do not particularly enjoy quick forwards or changes in positioning. This may very well be a good time to tell Postiga to work the channels, dragging one of the centre-backs, and instruct either Ronaldo or Nani to make direct runs in the central areas of the Dutch defence.
There is one final, important issue. The Netherlands favour a high(ish) defensive line, but do not exert the necessary pressure on the man on the ball, often allowing him to make through passes into the box, where Ronaldo and Nani's finishing skills may prove decisive.
Conclusion
If football was played on paper, this would look like a no-brainer. Portugal are better organised, defensively stronger in central areas and like to play on the counter. Besides, their wingers' speed and trickery are exactly what the Dutch defence doesn't need. With Van Marwijk's front four less than willing to help out defensively, Portugal may end up winning just by being smarter. Also, given the Dutch team's profile, Hugo Viana could be a clever move by Paulo Bento, since the Braga midfielder is an expert on picking defences apart by finding quick forwards 30 or 40 yards away with his long passes (even though this option is highly unlikely).
Chalkboards created via the Stats Zone app, available for free in the App Store.
If football was played on paper, this would look like a no-brainer. Portugal are better organised, defensively stronger in central areas and like to play on the counter. Besides, their wingers' speed and trickery are exactly what the Dutch defence doesn't need. With Van Marwijk's front four less than willing to help out defensively, Portugal may end up winning just by being smarter. Also, given the Dutch team's profile, Hugo Viana could be a clever move by Paulo Bento, since the Braga midfielder is an expert on picking defences apart by finding quick forwards 30 or 40 yards away with his long passes (even though this option is highly unlikely).
Chalkboards created via the Stats Zone app, available for free in the App Store.
Will we be able to handle such an attack?will we get our counter attack right and score in a very poor defense?
Tonight will answer all our questions!
I have a feeling that a draw is the most possible result in our game and I'm just affraid of a possible win for Denmark against the germans!
Let's see! We deserve to make it to the second round and proud of what our players did so far!
Forca Portugal!
First off, the Germans likely saw what could happen if/when you don't play all out. They may not rest a lot of guys and might actually play to kill off the Danes early.
Portugal will see that the Dutch, much like the Greeks yesterday, aren't out of this thing.
For all the talk of the Dutch's offense - van Persie has been awful by the way - Portugal can definitely exploit a rather suspect defense, especially if the Dutch are crazy enough to start with one defensive mid. When John Heitinga is a starter for you, you are in BIG trouble.
I think our most important players today are Pepe and Moutinho - if we get good games from those two...everything else should follow.
Which brings me to the following. Yes Bento has gotten more out of the players, but isn't he using the same tactics that Queiroz used?
I've killed Postiga, but he gets no support up top. Moutinho sits too far behind him, so he's very much alone up there. In my opinion, we sit much too deep at midfield. But, once again, is that due to necessary tactics due to lack of pace and/or quality? Or just tactics?
I don't want to say that I was wrong about Varela, but he has come through somewhat. I think we become prisoners of the moment, and forget that he failed on a wonderful opportunity verse the Germans and botched his first attempt at the shot verse Denmark. Having said that, Mr. Varela thank you, thank you, thank you...
I do feel that Dutch will be much more offensive. They were in their first two matches, but the quality of personnel wasn't up to par. Either Von Bommel or De Jong will make way for Huntelaar and/or Van de Vaart. Their ball movement should be much crisper and dangerous. I'm hoping they continue to be selfish and implode on the field.
This match could turn ugly as well. The Dutch might whine a ton, but they are also a very chippy team.
Portugal should really be able to counter attack today. We have the players to do so, but we'll see if move the ball forward quickly enough. Cristiano is great running at the defense, but he hasn't seen enough of the ball. For me the mids have held onto the ball a bit too long, instead of releasing Cristiano or Nani. By the way, Nani should have a tremendous day today. The Dutch left back will not be able to handle him. He should break free or open up acres of space for someone in the middle. Let's see.
I'm surprisingly confident going into this one.
you can always find games on www.atdhe.ws
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
His got his strategy and game plan well for both previous games. Have full trust that it will be good too against the dutch tonight. All we need is for our players to stick to his game plan, concentrate n play with team spirit. Hope all goes well n we can discuss our next game with czech republic. Forca Portugal!!!!
Great article btw. I really like these types of articles. Thanks Portugoal. I think we should have a reactionary gameplan, and what we do should be based on what the Dutchies do. Will they play with both de Jong and van Bommel? Or just 1 DM? Joao/Holanda, I'm not so sure that van Bommel will not play. Don't forget he's the captain, and son-in-law and basically the right hand man of the coach. Holland are on the brink, and like NJ pointed out, all we have to do is score the first goal, and we can break them.
So if they play 2 DM's, we should stay back and defend like against Germany and try and hit them on the counter. Ronaldo has to track back, and Veloso plays in front of van Persie with Bruno Alves and Pepe in front of Hunterlar. They've supposedly been working on defending crosses, so let's get this right. Get to half time with the score 0-0. Holland have to win by 2 goals, and so they'll play more attacking (and more recklessly) in the second half, and that's when we should attack. Sub Meireles for Nelson Oliveira, keeping Veloso in front of van Persie as before. After we score, bring on Custodio for Postiga (for God's sake Bento not Rolando!) and close it out.
If Holland start with 1 DM, we should attack them from the start, and try and score an early goal. They're weak at the back, so let's get Ronaldo, Nani and even Coentrao running at them, Moutinho providing the through balls, and Postiga working the channels, and moving the CB's out of position. Give Postiga the ball too. He's not the quickest, biggest, tallest, strongest, etc. but if you give him the ball in the box with a little space, he can score. Break them mentally. Make them make mistakes. We have a 2 goal buffer, so if they only have 5 at the back, let's attack, and kill the game with an early goal.
I come here to discuss Portugal and the National Team - not to criticize the Manager for his selections and tactics.
I will trust Bento to make the right selections and decide how best to employ his players to get a result against the Dutch.
Here are the keys to the game:
- A quick start. Dominate possession, good scoring chances, score, whatever. The Dutch are on the edge of a cliff. Push them off.
- Pepe/Alves have to be solid against Holland's strikers. No more gaffes like against Denmark.
- Coentrao must keep the ever dangerous Robben away from the box. Frustrate him, which shouldn't be too difficult!
- Like Tom Kundert argues. Veloso must shut down Sneijder and hence the supply line to the forwards.
- Finish your chances. And I'm not just referring to Postiga and Ronaldo.
Portugal will advance to face the Czech Republic which they will beat quite comfortably. They will meet Spain in the semis and then who knows?
we need to be disciplined at the back. shut our midfield up, let them take the posession of the ball since that is what they like and kill them at the counter. we are not going to the match to defend get me right but with a sharp mind doing just what is needed.
if we play in this way we will kill them tomorrow right.
Have fun with google translate. :P
Having said that using the words pointless and wrong was wrong on my part. I never intended it be that harsh. I was merely trying to point out that the tactical preview is based on information that's incorrect e.g. that's not going to be the starting line-up of Holland.
Which is a shame because it's an excellent article.
As for the rest of my post it's simply repeating what the Dutch media are speculating although Huntelaar will be starting, that's a given.
Huntelaar also admitted in an interview that the Portuguese weaknesses are its flanks, all their goals came from headers with the pass itself coming from the flank so that is something the Dutch will be trying to exploit. He used the plural for flanks, but I'm betting he specifically means the Portuguese left flank (I wonder why?) ;P
bento should talk with b.alves to stop wasting our balls and pass it instead of just bombing it anywhere.
Welcome to our humble little Portuguese soccer board Bert. Bert, first off I must commend you on picking a Portuguese name like Joao to infiltrate our board...bravo!
Joao (if that is your handle for this tournament) - the guys on this site work pretty hard to provide us with top shelf content to stimulate discussion.
Before you deem things to be pointless and wrong - let's review your post.
Van Marwijk admitted he would play differently - source please? I haven't seen anything so far where he has talked about how he is going to play. Please provide link...thank you
While you tear the article apart for being pointless and wrong - all of your projections are just that...projections, assumptions (read phonetically) and thoughts...nothing set in stone because they haven't set their lineup.
Come on man...share your views, but do not call someone's work pointless and wrong, that is uncalled for - and in truth, it can be said about a lot of your posts.
Let's make a deal - if Holland doesn't line up exactly as you have pointed out, you come back here and apologize to the person who took time to put this all together.
Deal?
We have to go into our match tomorrow looking for the win, there's no point hoping to be helped by the other result, that is dangerous and could backfire. A win over the Dutch will almost certainly put us through so we have to go for it and attack their poor defence. I said it months ago, their defence is average at best and we have to use our pace on the flanks to put big pressure on them. If that left back plays as poorly again as he did against Germany, then Nani or Ronaldo could really make their defence suffer.
That being said we musn't under-estimate the quality that the Dutch have going forward. Also they have their backs to the wall, and nothing to lose really, so could be very dangerous for that alone. But we are clearly the favourites for two main reasons: first the Dutch have to beat us by 2 clear goals, and we have not lost a competitive match that MATTERS (i.e not including the WC 2006 3rd place match) by more than a single goal in almost 20 years now. Secondly, at his best CR7 is the best player at this tournament and hasn't got going yet, it's hard to see us exiting without him making any impact on the tournament at all! Surely he's gotta do something tomorrow? I could be wrong, we'll just have to wait and see. But we really should do it, it's gonna be a nervous 90 mins for sure but i think we will make it in the end...FORCA SEMPRE!!!
prediction 2-1 portugal 1 goal from nelson 1 goal from nani
I'm a little worried at the back with Van Persie and Huntelaar on the attack as they can cause problems if our defense isn't great. Having said that i'm positive Coentrao can stop Robben since he has been on poor form and does the same move everytime, also I think if Pepe can have another good match Portugal can hold the Dutch to maybe a goal or maybe a clean sheet.
In midfield, the key will be Veloso. I actually think he is our most important player in the match. He'll most likely be on Sneijder and if he can keep him quiet, Portugal will be on their way to 3 points.
On the attack with Nani on the right, he will have the better of a weak Willems while Ronaldo faces a defensively poor Van der Wiel. The attack should domintate in a high scoring affair.
Portugal 3 - 1 Netherland
Ronaldo gets 2 assists and Nani gets 2 goals
Most likely they'll only be playing with one holding midfielder (de jong) with (most likely) van der Vaart being the other midfielder instead of van Bommel (who will not be playing at all).
Robben might not play, there is also a chance there will be no inverted wingers.
Van der Wiel hardly goes forward so he might be replaced by someone else.
What's definite is that Huntelaar and Van Persie will be playing together. Huntelaar will be creating space for van Persie.
Hopefully Bento is aware of this...
just watch it most hilarious thing ever
You can expect their locker room to once again explode. This is a very selfish squad, who bickers and whines.
Even on Von Pearsies goal he really should have given it to Huntelaar all alone in front.
That being said don't underestimate the pride factor. This team feels embarrassed and will be going all out to net the win.
If Portugal can get an early goal and absorb the pressure that's sure to come right afterwards, we should break them.
Veloso will be key in making the right decisions in support.
We all knew this was the match that would most likely decide our fate, and nothing has changed.
Forca Portugal