2010 FIFA World Cup: Netherlands Face Ghana in Rotterdam in Friendly

In what will be their first friendly since the March 3rd loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina by a 2-1 score, Ghana will travel to the Feyenoord Stadion in Rotterdam in their first true test before the World Cup.

That first test will come against a side that is currently ranked fourth in the world according to FIFA's World Ranking: The Netherlands.

Going into this match, the Netherlands have already had their first friendly in preparation for this match back on May 26, where two Robin van Persie first half goals proved to be enough for Holland as they were able to beat Mexico 2-1.

Since that match, the Dutch have been bitten by the injury bug, as Arjen Robben, Ryan Babel, and Joris Mathijsen have accumulated injuries during training.

However, none of the injuries are that serious, and the players would be ready if this were a World Cup match instead of a friendly.

Meanwhile for Ghana, not only will this be their first friendly before this World Cup, but it also is their first match in preparation without star midfielder Michael Essien, who recently found out that he will not be participating in this World Cup due to a knee injury picked up in January's African Cup of Nations.

But besides Essien's injury, this friendly will be a major match for Ghana manager Milovan Rajevac, as he decides what his starting lineup will look like in South Africa for the World Cup.

In this friendly, the player to watch for on the Dutch side will be Robin van Persie, as he looks to prove that his form has fully improved after a devastating injury in a friendly against Italy last year.

For Ghana, the player to watch will be Kevin-Prince Boateng, as Boateng has made Ghana's roster after leaving the German national side last year, and will look to cement a starting spot in this World Cup.

Prediction

So far, the Netherlands have been slightly more prepared than Ghana with a previous friendly and a strong side despite the recent injuries.

Couple that in with the match at home against a Ghana side that has not played together since March, and will win in Rotterdam by a 2-1 score.