The FIFA World Cup Thread #1/Sports Thread #1 For 7/6/10: Dutch Do Enough To Not Erupt, Wins 3-2 Thriller Over Valiant Uruguay To Advance To The Final

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

What a great game that was folks.

They survived a game with Boulahouz in defense and a mistake from Stekelenburg. To be honest, it is a shame for Uruguay, for they were valiant in defeat.

The full review is here .

And Man of the Match could have been a few, but Sneijder, as the catalysts, deserves it:

The full match review of the first semifinal, a really fun quality game pleasing on the eye folks.

The lineups:

Uruguay: Muslera, M.Pereira, Godin, Victorino, Caceras, A.Pereira, Rios, Gargano, Perez, Forlan, Cavini

Netherlands: Stekelenburg; Boulahourz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronchrost, de Zeeuw, van Bommel, Kuyt, Snejider, Robben, van Persie

Prediction: Big key to get Godin back, but the loss of Suarez has more on an effect on Forland today, as he will have to work extra hard. Still, it is easier without De Jong there to knock him off all over the field today.

And with Boulahouz in the lineup, I think uruguay will get a goal somehow in this game. I think it goes to penalties folks, but I think the Dutch somehow get through this one to get to the world finals for the first time ever.

The 1st Half Analysis:

Photo from Getty Images and FIFA.com

What a goal keeping error from Martin Stekelenburg, what a massive goalkeeping error indeed.

This was the Martin Stekelenburg most had expected when this tournament started, not the one who has emerged as one of the best in the tournament. Still, credit to the man who is battling David Villa for MVP of this tournament, and that is Senor Forlan for his effort.

Uruguay was never going to give up after Van Bronckhorst's extraordinary effort, and they really made the Dutch shell shocked and scared the minute Forlan's effort went past the error ridden Ajax keeper.

Nevertheless, they got to halftime, but the presence of Nigel De Jong was missed there on Forlan's effort, and it will be interesting to see what happens with covering him in the second half.

I still say this goes to penalties.