All the talk of Italy and France in their biggest encounter could be mere piffle if Romania wins against the Oranje.
The Oranje may decide to take their foot off the accelerator for this match, inconsequential to their advancement. If they do, then Romania has a chance.
Well, as good a chance as any, considering their ball possession will be similar to Bush’s approval rating. So they have to make it count.
One way to do it would be to exploit Van Der Saar’s noticeable unease with sudden, powerful, open field shots. He either reacts a bit late or parries it back into play. We have seen this in the Premiership and as an Arsenal fan I wish my team would do some more of it. I am looking at Gabriel Tamas and Christian Chivu laying the hurt on VDS hands. Tamas came close against Buffon. Mutu might be able to cash in on a slip up.
Another way to do it would be to float long balls Mutu’s way and wait for an offside trap mistake or a mis-hit. Against Italy, Mutu pounced on Zambrotta’s mistake to score a goal. The weak link in the Dutch defense is Andre Ooijer, not the quickest or sharpest tool and liable to commit cheap fouls. He should come under some pressure from the deep passes. Joris Mathijsen should also have his hands full against Nicolita’s pace.
But it will be left to Bogdan Lobont and the Romanian defense yet again to keep them in contention. In the Euro qualifiers they were able to win against the Netherlands and it will be up to Goian and Rat to blunt Sneijder, the fulcrum of the Dutch attack. Nistelrooy’s fox in the box instincts with his new found altruistic inclinations have made him deadly. He needs a shadow. Contra will have to be extra sharp.