World Cup 2010 - Kluivert: All about Dutch minds
Eurosport - Tue, 06 Jul 08:52:00 2010
Eurosport pundit and record Dutch goalscorer Patrick Kluivert believes the Netherlands have to keep their mental focus when they meet Uruguay in the World Cup semi-final at Green Point Stadium tonight.
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What are your feelings about the game?
"I think if the Netherlands play their normal game, Uruguay will have problems. But they have to be sharp and they cannot think that because they beat Brazil, it is going to be easy against Uruguay. They have to be focused and play their normal game at 100%".
Will the Netherlands think it will be easy?
"Yes for sure. Because you've beaten one the biggest teams in the tournament and mentally it does something to your brain but you have to be prepared for this kind of confrontation with Uruguay.
Is this a more pragmatic Dutch team than those from the past?
"I don't really agree with that. You have different players with a different mentality. Maybe it looks like this but in the past we have played a system not too different to this one. It looks more cautious but it is not really the case. They are doing a good job and they have to keep focused and continue.
And what about coach Bert van Marwijk?
"The coach is a very relaxed man. He started in Holland where he did a good job with Feyenoord. He went to Dortmund and then became coach of the national team. He is not so well known because he hasn't worked in England, Spain or Italy where the coach is more in the spotlight but he has done a good job.
And the key to the game for the Dutch?
"They have to be focused. They have the quality. Everything is down to the mental side."
- Semi Final: Uruguay vs Net





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