Day 18 - Netherlands v Mexico

Pre-Match Thoughts
I'm looking forward to this one: both teams impressed in the group stages, showing organisation and teamwork. The Dutch especially look highly motivated and able to go all the way and with Robin van Persie back in the team after missing the last game through suspension, they'll be firing at 100%. Robben especially has been on the stars of the tournament so far and the Mexicans will need all their concentration to stand any hope of shackling him.

Looking on TV, the sun looks completely baking and using ethnic stereotypes, if I may, you might expect the Mexicans to be more used to that, unless Amsterdam is actually some kind of tropical sub-zone where you get a sweat on just stepping outside. Can't say, never been there. But I'll work on the basis of my assumptions by now.

All the same, Netherlands will start as favourites, surely, but van Gaal won't have them thinking that. I see a very tight game ahead decided by the odd goal - 2-1 to the Dutch for me.

First Half
Not quite as exciting as I might have hoped so far, with the Mexicans doing a lot of the running with the Dutch trying to make the ball do the work. No clear cut chances yet, though Mexico have come the closest to any. Robben probably should have a penalty just before half time, though Mexico could have had one themselves for high feet from the Dutch defence.

It wouldn't be a total surprise if this game went to extra time, though in the heat, surely neither team will fancy it.

Second Half
Some fantastic drama. Mexico took the lead, taking a rare chance in brilliant fashion, and from there it looked as if they were in the quarter finals. The Dutch squandered any half-opportunities and looked like wilting in the heat.

And then... yet another corner and the ball drops to Wesley Sneijder, who has done next to nothing so far. This time, he manages to remember he's a talented player and smashes it home.

And then... with a couple of minutes till the whistle for extra time, the Mexican defender leaves a foot in the wrong place, Robben trips on it. Penalty. You have to give props to Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, possibly the owner of the biggest balls on the planet. In amongst all the fuss, he kept calm and slotted away a perfect penalty. The Dutch seemed outmatched throughout at least 80 minutes of this game, yet they still won. They'll play Costa Rica or Greece next.

Result
2-1 to the Netherlands.

Last Album You Listened To?
Book of Days by the Psychedelic Furs, while trying to motivate my sorry arse to get out of bed this morn. Vastly underrated album, which took them back to their more noisy roots after years chasing synth-pop mainstream success.