Holland v Latvia - PREVIEW
Make or break time for the Dutch
The Netherlands' campaign could come to an abrupt end on Wednesday as Dick Advocaat's side square up to so-called minnows Latvia in Braga.
The Dutch must take all three points from the team that held Germany to a goalless draw and pray that the Germans at best draw against already qualified Group D winners the Czech Republic.
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| Dutch head coach Dick Advocaat gestures as he asks the still photographers to leave the press conference a minute after his entry, 20 June 2004 in Albufeira on the Algarve coast during the European nations championship. The Netherlands lost 2-3 yesterday its second match at the Euro 2004, vs the Czech Republik. AFP PHOTO - SVEN NACKSTRAND |
Coach Dick Advocaat's tactics were called into question following the 3-2 defeat to the Czechs, especially over his controversial decision to replace winger Arjan Robben with defender Paul Bosvelt.
"I would never have made a substitution like that," Dutch great Johan Cruyff claimed.
Advocaat, who is without the suspended defender Johnny Heitinga, conceded he had been outsmarted by his opposite number on the Czech bench.
"(Karel) Bruckner won the tactical battle," he said. "His tactics proved superior on the night."
That defeat following the Oranje's 1-1 draw with Germany left the 1988 champions facing a serious case of premature elimination.
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| Netherlands' forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij (R) heads off the ball in front of Czech Republic's goalkeeper Petr Cech (C) and teammate forward Jan Koller, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE |
Ruud van Nistelrooy who cut a forlorn figure after the final whistle confessed: "I found it so difficult to cope with."
Marc Overmars rated the Dutch's chances of making it to the last eight as only 20 percent.
"It would be a drama if we were knocked out," said the Barcelona winger.
The Latvians have failed miserably to play the role assigned to them as the group's perceived whipping boys, their opening 2-1 loss to the Czechs followed by a draw against Germany.
That leaves them in the same position as their rivals here if they are to secure a quarter-final date with either Sweden, Denmark or Italy.
Teams
Holland: Edwin van der Sar, Michael Reiziger, Jaap Stam, Frank de Boer (capt), Giovanni van Bronckhorst; Clarence Seedorf, Phillip Cocu, Edgar Davids; Andy van der Meyde, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Arjen Robben
Coach: Dick Advocaat
Latvia: Aleksandrs Kolinko, Igors Stepanovs, Vitalijs Astafjevs (capt), Mihails Zemlinskis, Olegs Blagonadezdins, Aleksandrs Isakovs, Imants Bleidelis, Maris Verpakovskis, Andrejs Rubins, Andrejs Prohorenkovs, Valentins Lobanovs
Coach: Aleksandrs Starkovs
Referee: Kim Milton Neilsen (DEN)