Uruguay vs. Netherlands FIFA World Cup 2010 Semifinal Preview

After an epic World Cup quarterfinal round that saw four nations go home, we will now have two semifinal matches on our plate going forward as the quest to find the World Cup champion continues to take many twists and turns.

Now, at Cape Town Stadium on July 6th, we will find out the first side to reach the World Cup final in Soccer City on July 11th, as Uruguay faces the Netherlands.

For both sides, this will be a chance to reach their third World Cup final, as Uruguay have not been to the World Cup final since 1950 against Brazil. The Netherlands haven't reached the final since 1978 when they lost to Argentina.

With this major match just several hours away, here is my official preview of this World Cup semifinal.

Team News

Uruguay

Uruguay will be without star striker Luis Suarez after he was red carded against Ghana in the 120th minute of the quarterfinal. Suarez illegally handled the football away from the line to prevent Ghana from scoring, and advancing.

Netherlands

Gregory van der Weil and Nigel de Jong are banned after picking up yellow cards against Brazil, but Robin van Persie will be fit to start after a shoulder scare.

Key Players

Uruguay

For Uruguay, the key player will be Diego Forlan.

Forlan has had an incredible World Cup and will be getting ready to play in the biggest match of his career. He will hopefully have the greatest match of his life.

Netherlands

Meanwhile the Netherlands' key player will be Wesley Sneijder, the man who scored both goals to get the Dutch to this point.

Sneijder has had a great World Cup and will certainly be the player with the most focus on the pitch in Cape Town.

What Each Side Must Do to Win

Uruguay

Must be sure to attack when possible and have Forlan play the greatest match of his career.

Netherlands

The Dutch must be able to attack like they did in the second half against Brazil, and they need to get under the Uruguayan skin on defense.

Projected Lineups

Uruguay (4-4-2)

                                                     Muslera

                 M. Pereira              Scotti              Victorino             A. Pereira

              A. Fernandez          Arevalo              Perez                 Cavani

                                               Abreu                Forlan

Netherlands (4-2-3-1)

                                                     Van Persie

                           Kuyt                     Sneijder            Robben

                                     Van Bommel             De Zeeuw

             Boulahrouz            Heitinga                Mathijsen         Van Bronckhorst

                                                  Stekelenburg

X-Factor

The X-Factor here will be the absence of Luis Suarez.

Uruguay will certainly miss him and his scoring ability, which would have really given Uruguay a great chance of winning this match.

Prediction

Right now, I see no way the Dutch could lose here. They truly are a World Class squad and deserve to be in the World Cup final against either the Spanish or the Germans.

Final Score: Uruguay 0, Netherlands 2