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WCQ Preview: Macedonia - Netherlands
What: World Cup 2010 Qualification Group 9, Matchday 2
Who: Republic of Macedonia (3 points) vs The Netherlands (0 points)
When: Wednesday 10 September, 20.30 (CET)
Where: Skopje City Stadium, Skopje
Not Enough
Srecko Katanec’s side impressed againt the Scots and bagged the three points at home through Ilco Naumoski’s fifth minute winner.
The Macedonia boss made it clear that the result against Scotland wasn’t an accident, saying, “I want to go to South Africa with Macedonia. Just surprisingly beating a 'bigger team' every now and than isn’t enough for me.”
The win against Scotland was definitely a good start for the Red Lions and The Netherlands are the next alleged victim of Katanec’s steamroller of ambition.
“We’re also doing well if we manage to draw, but it’s definitely possible to beat the Dutch. Even if we draw, qualification is still very possible.”
A passionate home crowd will support the powerful and enthusiastic team again and the men who defeated Scotland will be ready for their next challenge on the road to South Africa.
Macedonia haven’t lost in five games. Their last defeat was against Israel on 21 November, when they were defeated 1-0.
No Surprises
Holland manager Bert van Marwijk wasn’t very happy with his side’s performance against Australia on Saturday and will demand not just a better result, but also a better display from his men.
The Dutch have an advantage in that they saw Scotland go down on Saturday to an impressive Macedonia side. Therefore, they know what they can expect and will know better than to underestimate their opponents.
It won’t be the first time Holland has faced Macedonia in a qualifying match. Oranje were held twice by the Red Lions on their way to Germany 2006, so they know what the Macedonians are capable off.
Playmaker Van Der Vaart already declared that Macedonia are certainly not a team like Luxembourg or San Marino and understands that Holland will have to work very hard in order to secure a good result.
FORM GUIDE
Macedonia
06/09/08 v Scotland WON 1-0 WC Qualifier
20/08/08 v Luxembourg WON 4-1 International friendly
26/05/08 v Poland DREW 1-1 International friendly
26/03/08 v Bosnia-Herzegovina DREW 2-2 International friendly
06/02/08 v Serbia DREW 1-1 International friendly
Netherlands
06/09/08 v Australia LOST 2-1 International friendly
20/08/08 v Russia DREW 1-1 International friendly
21/06/08 v Russia LOST 3-1 (o.t) Euro 2008
17/06/08 v Romania WON 2-0 Euro 2008
13/06/08 v France WON 4-1 Euro 2008
TEAM NEWS
Macedonia
Star man Goran Pandev is fit to play, but will most likely be substituted before the end of the match due to his physical problems.
Manager Katanec doesn’t have any other injury trouble and Goran Maznov and Robert Petrov, who were a doubt for the match against the Scots, are likely to start.
Possible starting XI: Milosevski, Noveski, Petrov, Sedlowski, Mitreski, Lazarevski, Grozdanovski, Sumulikoski, Maznov, Pandev, Naumoski
Netherlands
Trainer Bert van Marwijk benched Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben against the Aussies due to a hamstring problem. However, the tricky attacker is fully recovered and will probably be in the starting XI.
Furthermore, Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg received a red card during Saturday's friendly. Nevertheless, he won’t be suspended for WC qualifiers, meaning that he can play against Macedonia.
Possible starting XI: Stekelenburg, Ooijer, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, De Jong, Van Bommel, Van Persie, Van der Vaart, Robben, Huntelaar
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Republic of Macedonia – Goran Maznov
The Tom Tomsk attacker was a constant threat in the match against Scotland and will be eager to show his brilliance to the home crowd once again. His pace and craft will cause Oranje defender Mathijsen some serious trouble.
The Netherlands – Klaas Jan Huntelaar
The Ajax skipper was denied a big money transfer on the last day of the transfer window and will be keen to show the world that he’s ready for the next step in his career. He bagged a trademark goal against the Aussies when he clinically finished a Ryan Babel cross and will be ready to score again.
PREDICTION
Macedonia will be full of confidence after their display against the Scots on Saturday. The Netherlands, on the other hand, are full of doubt after a disappointing performance against Australia.
The Dutch were held by Macedonia before and, thus, a repeat shock is far from impossible.
The Macedonian attackers will pose a serious problem for the shaky Dutch defence. However, the individual brilliance of the Dutch forwards will prove to be too much for the home team.
Therefore, I expect the Dutch to show their class and go home with the three points after a tight match.
Macedonia 1 - 2 The Netherlands
Stefan Coerts
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