The Netherlands reached the final of the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and lost 1-0 to Spain in extra-time. However, the competition heralded a new winning mentality among the Dutch and now they are eager to carry on with the momentum.
Striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored a brilliant hat-trick against San Marino on Friday to help his side win 5-0 and the Dutchman will aspire to do something similar on Tuesday too. Veteran striker Ruud van Nistelrooy scored for the Oranje and coach Bert van Marwijk was happy for that.
"That is really nice for him; he is a true lover of the game.Everyone expected us to beat San Marino, but it could have been a bit better. It is about split seconds; fast decisions and fast action. In the first half we failed in that respect."
A home win against Finland is expected for the Dutch.
Disappointing Start
Finland went down 2-0 to Moldova in their qualifying game on Friday and indeed this result was far from expected. As coach Stuart Baxter sighed after the match, "The defeat was a huge disappointment; it will not be easy after that result."
Finland will have to make do without the service of their veteran defender Sami Hyypia, who was sent off against Moldova. They also have history against them as Finland's only win against the Netherlands was a 4-1 victory in a friendly international in Helsinki in June 1950.
TEAM NEWS
Netherlands
Van Marwijk could start with the same set of players who began the match against Finland. John Heitinga missed the match against San Marino due to suspension, but has returned to the squad for Tuesday's clash.
Wesley Sneijder missed training at the weekend due to a minor injury problem but will be fit to play against Finland. Dirk Kuyt has reportedly suffered an injury and he will be replaced by Rafael Van der Vaart.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Pieters; Van Bommel, De Jong; Van der Vaart, Sneijder, Elia; Huntelaar
Finland
Sami Hyypia is out because of suspension but Joonas Kolkka and Teemu Tainio are back.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Fredrikson, Pasanen, Portin, Heikkinen, Moisander; Litmanen, Sparv, R. Eremenko; Johansson, A. Eremenko, Porokara
Prediction
The Dutch defeated minnows San Marino on Friday and they will be expected to win once again on Tuesday. Perhaps a five-goal victory against the Fins would be a little too much to ask, but the 2010 World Cup finalists will certainly win.
Netherlands 3-0 Finland 
