Netherlands reach World Cup final

Netherlands reach World Cup final

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/sports/2010-07/07/c_13386879.htm

5 pictures

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, July 6 (Xinhua) — Two late goals in three minutes sent the Netherlands through hard hitting Uruguay into the World Cup final on Tuesday.

Wesley Sneijder’s deadlock breaker and Robben Arjen’s header secured the twice runners-up’s 3-2 victory over two-time champions.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst opened scoring for the Oranje in the 18th minute with a 35-meter shot and Diego Forlan replied for the only South American survivors in the semifinals, with a curling strike from 30 meters out at the 41st minute.

The Dutch cracked a warning shot at the third minute following great work by Arjen Robben. The Bayern Munich winger dribbled down the right before he crossed to Wesley Sneijder, whose goal-bound volley was pushed out, by Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera, into the path of Dirk Kuyt. The Liverpook forward failed to keep his shot down.

Uruguay’s defence looked a little shaky when Sneijder smashed his shot from 20 meters out on his own teammate Robin van Persie, sparing Fernando Muslera from having to make a save.

The Netherlands passed from right to left before Giovanni van Bronckhorst took the ball. When it looked he would dribble in deeper, the Ferenoord defender suddenly launched a left-foot cannon shot, which flicked the fingertips of Muslera and hit the inside of the post before deflecting into the top corner.

An accident happened at half hour mark when Martin Caceres tried an overhead kick on the edge of the Dutch box and he struck Demy de Zeeuw right in the face.