Dutch Seek Home Comforts in Nations League

Netherlands vs Croatia

Just when you thought it was safe to venture out from the football season, there is still one more tournament to play for this term.

The UEFA Nations League is a tournament enjoyed by some, mocked by others, yet the third edition is still to be determined in the week ahead.

This semi-final between Holland and Croatia in Rotterdam certainly offers a good opportunity for one of the international game’s nearly men of recent decades to reach a final.

Talking Points

Both nations are here on merit after enjoying Nations League highlights in their respective groups

Croatia edged Denmark in a group which also contained then World champions France and Austria.

Meanwhile, Holland were unbeaten as they topped a pool comprising near-neighbours Belgium, Poland and Wales.

Oranje could do with a boost.

Sure, they beat the minnows of Gibraltar last time out in Euro 2024 qualifying but opened their campaign in March with a 4-0 crushing at the hands of France, a match in which they were 2-0 down inside eight minutes and a contest which marked the start of Ronald Koeman’s second tenure as national team manager.

Their previous match had marked the end of the Louis van Gaal era where they were unfortunate to lose in a penalty shoot-out to eventual champions Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Croatia, of course, went one step further, despite possessing what many considered an ageing squad as they claimed third place and the bronze medal in Qatar.

One of their men to impress at the tournament was centre-back Josko Gvardiol but the highly-rated RB Leipzig man will have to sit this one out – and the final should Croatia get there – with a groin injury.

Striker Marko Livaja has also pulled out of the squad in the wake of a training incident last week in which he was insulted by a minority of fans who had turned up to watch.

That means the already shot-shy Croatians will further rely on Andrej Kramaric to deliver the goals.

The influential Ivan Perisic needs just one more goal to add to his 34 in Croatia colours and overtake Mario Mandzukic as his nation’s second-highest goalscorer, while a 165th cap will come the way of veteran playmaker Luka Modric, who ruled out the prospect of international retirement following the World Cup.

Holland have a significant absence of their own ahead of this clash as Memphis Depay has still not recovered from the calf problem that kept him out for the past month.

Daley Blind, Ryan Gravenberch, Steven Berghuis, Stefan de Vrij and Jeremie Frimpong – who has turned down an offer to compete at the Under-21 Euros – are among the other absentees.

It remains to be seen if Nathan Ake and Denzel Dumfries are considered after their involvement in Saturday’s Champions League Final – unlikely one suspects.

History

These sides have only met twice in their history with one victory apiece.

The only competitive meeting was the third-place play-off in the 1998 World Cup when goals from two Croatian greats, Robert Prosinecki and captain Davor Suker, who was the top scorer at that tournament, sealed a 2-1 win.

Bolo Zenden was on target for the Dutch.

When they met, albeit in a friendly 10 years later, Holland ran out 3-0 winners in Zagreb with Johnny Heitinga, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and the grandly named Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink the marksmen.

Betting Tip

Holland reached the final of the inaugural Nations League four years ago and would love to go one better this time around.

I certainly think they will edge this one.

The SBOTOP Nations League betting odds fancy the home side who can be backed 1X2 @ 1.97 and Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 1.98.

Croatia are priced 1X2 @ 3.35 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.25.

A first draw between the nations (even though the tie has to be ultimately decided on the night) will pay out @ 3.35.

For goals, it is worth considering over 2.25 @ 1.96, Total Goal 0-1 @ 2.62, 2-3 @ 1.82 and 4-6 @ 4.20.

This end-of-season affair could be tame between two sets of players who have had a long enough season for club and country, or it could be considered a real boon to reach the final, which takes place in Holland next weekend against the winners of the Spain-Italy tie.

Out of their nine UEFA Nations League games on home soil so far, the Netherlands have only been defeated once – going down 1-0 to Italy in September 2020.

I am going to go for a Holland victory and for them to lead at both the break and the final whistle.

 

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