Monday, March 28, 2011

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29.03. (Tue) 20:30 Netherlands - Hungary

DID YOU KNOW?

* Hungary currently occupy second place in Group E of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with nine points from five games.

* Hungary have not qualified for a European Championships since 1972, when they finished fourth at the finals.

* Goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly is the most capped player in the current squad with 80 international appearances.

* The Hungarians hadn't lost since September 3, 2010 until last Friday's home defeat against Oranje.

* Star player Balazs Dzsudzsak is the only player in the current squad who plies his trade in the Dutch Eredivisie.

* Netherlands sit first in Group E of the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with the maximum 15 points from five games.

* Oranje were eliminated in the quarter-finals in the last European Championship finals. Russia proved to be too strong in 2008 as they beat Holland 3-1 after extra time.

* Rafael van der Vaart is the most experienced player in the squad selected for Friday's game. The Tottenham ace has been capped 89 times.

* Holland were beaten only once in all of 2010. Spain beat the Dutch 1-0 in the final of the 2010 World Cup to shatter their dreams of winning the tournament for the first time in their history.

* Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has scored eight goals in four appearances during the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, but won't play on Tuesday due to a knee injury.

* Shot-stopper Jelle Ten Rouwelaar will make his Netherlands debut if he gets playing time.

LAST MEETING

March 25, 2011: Hungary 0-4 Netherlands

The two sides last met in Budapest last Friday and Holland cruised to a comfortable 4-0 away win. Hungary started the match with attacking intentions, but they were simply unable to contain Oranje. Goals from Rafael van der Vaart, Ibrahim Afellay, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie helped the World Cup finalists to the full three points.

PROBABLE LINE-UPS


Netherlands: Vorm; Van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Pieters; De Jong, Van der Vaart; Kuyt, Sneijder, Afellay; Van Persie

Hungary: Kiraly; Lazar, Vanczak, Juhasz, Laczko; Varga, Vadocz; Gera, Koman, Dzsudzsak; Rudolf

Prediction
Holland put in an impressive performance against the Hungaryans last Friday and recorded a comfortable 4-0 away win. Things probably won't be that easy again for Oranje as Hungary are expected to 'park the bus' on Tuesday evening. Nevertheless, Netherlands have the class to pick up the full three points again and will make it a perfect 18 points from six games.

Netherlands 2-0 Hungary