Game 18 Preview: Australia vs. Netherlands

AUSTRALIA vs. NETHERLANDS

 Date: June 18, 2014

Time: 12:00 p.m. EDT

Venue: Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre

Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 1-0-2 Australia

Last Match: 2009 Friendly. Australia tied Netherlands 0-0.

Line: Netherlands -600

Group B Preview here.

Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.

Team Profiles 

World Ranking: Australia (62nd), Netherlands (15th)

Managers: Ange Postecoglou (AUS), Louis van Gaal (NED)

Captains: Mile Jedinak (AUS), Robin van Persie (NED)

World Cup Appearances: 4 (AUS), 10 (NED)

Best Finish: Australia (Round of 16, 2006), Netherlands (3x Runners-Up, Last in 2010)

Qualifying Records: Australia (8-2-4, GF: 25, GA: 12), Netherlands (9-0-1, GF: 24, GA: 9)

Previous Game Results

Australia

June 13th - Chile def. Australia 3-1

Netherlands

June 13th - Netherlands def. Spain 5-1

Rosters

Injuries/Discipline

Australia: Ivan Franjic (Doubtful - Hamstring), Tim Cahill (Yellow Card), Mark Milligan (Out- Hamstring, Yellow Card), Mile Jedinak (Yellow Card)

Netherlands: Stefan de Vrij (Yellow Card), Jonathan de Guzman (Yellow Card), Robin van Persie (Yellow Card)

Overview

There's only 2 countries in the world that the Dutch have ever played and not beaten and surprisingly one of those two is Australia (Egypt the other). In 3 competitive matches, all played in the past decade, the high-flying Dutch have only managed a pair of draws and a loss to the Socceroos. That streak will likely end today.

Fresh off dismantling the defending World Champions in their opener, the Dutch will look to continue their run of success against the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. Would not expect a let-down either from Netherlands as a victory all but assures them of a spot in the Round of 16 and gets them closer to avoiding Brazil in that match as well.

It was a gutsy comeback for Australia against Chile after finding themselves down 2-0 early. They can't get through this group on guts alone though and manager Ange Postecoglou has likely had a few sleepless nights trying to figure out how to possibly stop a Dutch attack that scored as many goals as 3 other groups did in their first game.

Formation unknown as of yet for the Dutch but we may see a break from the 2-3-5 that carved up Spain. The defensive counter-attacking formation should not be necessary against Australia who will likely have 9 guys back around their area for most of the game. It's also possible Louis van Gaal will rest some of his aging attacking players. van Persie is sitting on a yellow card and he and Arjen Robben in particular struggle with injury issues.

Australia have their own injury concerns to deal with as starting midfielder Mark Milligan is out, as is right back Ivan Franjic in all likelihood. Australia brought just six defenders to Brazil and will likely have a right back playing out of position in Ryan McGowan up against this formidable Dutch attack.

Personnel

In the Australian Third: So much praise was heaped on the Dutch starters that it's overlooked how much depth is on their bench. Whether the same lineup takes the field or players get rested, the Dutch shouldn't skip a beat in attack which is bad news for Australia who are a jumble right now in the back end. Advantage: Netherlands

In the Midfield: Australia gutted it out against a poorly organized Chile team and were able to take advantage of Chile's aggressive style. The Dutch are a more defensively sound team though even if they go to a 4-3-3 formation and will have no trouble moving the ball with Blind, de Guzman and Sneijder. Advantage: Netherlands

In the Dutch Third: Tim Cahill vs. the Dutch central defenders. Cahill was the lone bright spark offensively last game for Australia. Headed home a goal and threatened on others but Cahill alone cannot beat the Dutch. Unless Australia find support from surrounding players, Advantage: Netherlands

Goalkeeping: Wasn't the sharpest World Cup debut for Maty Ryan and it won't be any easier today. Jasper Cillessen looked calm and composed in the Dutch goal and only surrendered to Spain on a penalty he nearly got anyway. Advantage: Netherlands

Australia will win if:

Ghanaian witch doctor? Have to hang back defensively and keep the front 3 players in front of them at all times. van Persie and Robben shredded Spain by getting behind their defence on long balls and leaving Iker Casillas out to dry. It won't necessarily be any easier but may gave Ryan a fighting chance in goal. Offensively, it will be tough for Australia to counter-attack this Dutch team. Play Cahill high, try and sustain possession downfield and try to get balls in and hope Cahill can direct them towards goal.

Netherlands will win if:

They remember that this is the World Cup and everyone can beat them if they aren't ready to play. There's always questions about the collective mental state of the Dutch team and it's imperative they don't rest on the laurels of destroying Spain and focus on the game at hand. They'll win if they show up prepared to play, plain and simple. Unfortunately that's a question that does need to be asked of this team.

Prediction

Not the same goal-scoring explosion as the Dutch's last game but a comfortable victory where they dominate possession and are able to convert a few of their chances for goals.

Netherlands 3-0 Australia