Uruguay, Netherlands face off in World Cup semis
Published:Tuesday | July 6, 2010 | 11:52 AM
The first finalist of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa will be decided today, when Uruguay and the Netherlands face off in the opening semi-final at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 1.30pm in the afternoon, Jamaica time.
European champions, Spain, will face three-time champions, Germany, in the other semifinal in Durban tomorrow.
With the powers of Brazil and Argentina eliminated, Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has warned his players not to take anything for granted against the less illustrious South Americans of Uruguay.
Van Marwijk and his Uruguay counterpart, Oscar Tabarez, both have to fill holes in their starting lineups, caused by injuries and suspensions.
Chief among them will be suspended Uruguay striker, Luis Suarez.
Suarez was sent off for a deliberate handball against Ghana in the quarterfinal on Friday.
Full back Jorge Fucile is also suspended, after picking up a second yellow card against Ghana, while central defender, Diego Godin, missed that game with a left thigh problem and remains in doubt.
Uruguay captain, Diego Lugano, is also fighting to be fit, after injuring a right knee ligament against Ghana.
The Dutch defense will have to be reconstructed, with right back, Gregory van der Wiel, and defensive midfielder, Nigel de Jong, both suspended after collecting their second yellow cards of the tournament against Brazil.