Argentina vs Netherlands soccer preview

The World cup stadium in Sao Paulo will be alive again on Wednesday when the second semi final of this year's FIFA World cup takes centre stage.

Argentina will play against Netherlands in an explosive encounter. The South Americans have won the tournament on two occasions, while the Dutch side have lost their  two finals in 1978 and 2010.

They actually lost the 1978 final against a Diego Maradona inspired team. This time around, Lionel Messi will be the focal point of the 'Albaceleste'. Messi has scored four goals in Brazil and he will be expected to play a key role in taming the 'Oranje' of Netherlands on Wednesday.

Coach of the Argentine team,Sabella could feature Sergio Aguero in this fixture. The Manchester City striker has missed the last two matches due to a groin injury he sustained against Nigeria. He will be subjected to a late fitness test.  No one can guarantee that the ex-Atletico de Madrid player will be influential against Louis Van Gaal's men.
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Angel Di Maria is out of the World cup and he won't be expected to play a part in Wednesday's fixture. The Real Madrid striker got injured in the game against Belgium.

The Europeans
Netherlands overcame a dogged Costa Rican team in the quarter final on  Saturday via penalties. The trio of Arjen Robben, Wesley  Sneidjer and Robin Van Persie will lead the Dutch assault in Sao Paulo. RVP and Robben have scored 3 goals each.

This is the third World cup semi final in the last five appearances for Netherlands. Louis Van Gaal will obviously replace Clissen with Tim Krul if this match should go beyond 90 minutes and extra time.

ChatSoccer predicts a 3-2 win for Netherlands.

Kick off time: 20.00 UTC

Netherlands dismantles Spain in Salvador

The Dutch senior national team have inflicted Spain's biggest defeat since 1963. Netherlands crushed the defending champions by 5-1 at the on going FIFA World cup in Brazil.
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The Spaniards took the lead in the 27th minute of play via a penalty kick that was taken by Xabi Alonso. Stefan de Vrji brought down Diego Costa in the penalty box. The first half seemed to be heading for a slight win for the Spanish team until Robin Van Persie levelled for the Dutch side.

In the second half, Robin Van Persie(2 goals),Arjen Robben and Stefan de Vrji were all on the scorers sheet.  RVP put the Dutch in front earlier in the second half before Stefan made it three goals to prepare at home.

Iker Casillas was a big flop in the second half while RVP and Robben was simply fantastic.

Three Lions defeated at home.

The Three Lions of England lost at home to the 2010 World Cup runners-up, Netherlands. Bayern Munich striker, Arjen Robben scored a brace. He scored in the 67th minute of action before Klaas Jan Huntelaar made it 2-0 to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finalists. Manchester United defender, Chris Smalling left the pitch in a pool of blood after he clashed with Huntelaar in the build up to the goal. When the England fans thought they were going to witness the defeat of their darling team, Chelsea defender, Gary Cahill scored an 85th minute goal while Ashley Young grabbed the equalizer. Arjen Robben scored a last gasp winner to send the travelling Dutch fans into frenzy. With this defeat, caretaker manger,Stuart Pearce has now lost his first match in charge of the Three Lions of England.

Johnson is out of England clash!

Carling Cup winner, Glen Johnson has withdrawn from tomorrow's friendly between England and Netherlands. The Liverpool defender is injured and may miss this weekend's clash with Arsenal in the English Premier League. The former Chelsea and Portsmouth player will be replaced by Manchester City's Joleon Lescott who has been in impressive form for his big spending club. Kyle Walker,Wayne Rooney,Darren Bent and Tom Cleverley will also be missing action due to the same reason.

Will England overcome their current problems?

The Three Lions of England are expected to take on the Orange men from Netherlands. The new Wembley stadium in London that  hosted the Carling Cup final on Sunday between Liverpool and Cardiff City is the venue of tomorrow's encounter. England don't have a substantive manager at the moment. This is due to the resignation of the former Italian gaffer, Fabio Capello that resigned as a result of the John Terry racism saga earlier in February 2012. The team is also without a permanent captain after the Chelsea skipper was stripped of his captaincy pending the outcome of a judicial enquiry that will commence in July.
James Milner of Manchester City and Steven Gerrard are one of the candidates to be England's skipper in tomorrow's International friendly against Netherlands. The Dutch side are expected to parade the likes of Robin Van Persie,Dirk Kuyt,Nigel De Jong,Klaas Huntelaar and a host of other high profile players. The 1990 World Cup semi finalists are also facing injury worries. Aston Villa striker,Darren Bent has joined Bobby Zamora on the injury list.

UEFA Euro 2012 is fast approaching and the English team need to be fully prepared for that tournament if they intend to make headway in Ukraine and Poland. The English team have always been involved in one controversy or the other over the past 12 months. Wayne Rooney's suspension from the first few games of the tournament is also a huge concern for the Three Lions of England.

England Captaincy!

As England prepare for their first match after the departure of former Italian manager, Fabio Capello, Chat Soccer looks at the captaincy issue that was made glamorous under David Beckham.

Chelsea captain,John Terry was stripped of his captain band for the second time in his National team career under Fabio Capello for alleged racist abuse that was levelled against him by Anthony Ferdinand of Queens Park Rangers in a match that was played late last year.

 While Liverpool's Luis Suarez was given an eight match ban by the English Football Association, Terry's case was put forward for hearing at the court in July 2012, some weeks after UEFA Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland.

 The first time the Chelsea skipper was stripped of his captaincy title was when he had an infidelity issue that involved the former girl friend of Wayne Bridge, a former Chelsea player that moved was playing for Manchester City as at that time.
 The Italian tactician, Fabio Capello resigned from his England job after the FA's decision to strip John Terry of his captaincy without seeking his consent as the team manger.
England under 21 manager, Stuart Pearce is to lead the Three Lions out at the Wembley Stadium against 2010 FIFA World Cup runners-up, Netherlands in an International friendly that will be played on February 29th,2012.
Several names have been touted as the new replacement for John Terry's role as the captain of the 1966 World Champions. Liverpool's Steven Gerrard recently expressed his desire to get the position for the first time in two years. The Liverpool captain was England's skipper at South Africa 2010. Gareth Barry and Rio Ferdinand are other notable mentions, though the latter has denied been interested in the position.

Whether Gerrard or Barry gets the post, the fact is that the Three Lions need to put their house in order ahead of the European Football showpiece in Ukraine and Poland later this summer.