World Cup 2014 Round of 16 - Netherlands vs Mexico, 29 June 18:00 CEST

Well said Netherlands should be favored to win this match.

 

My family knows the drill - I do not exist from 11-1 CST on Sunday. 1:30 if extra time.

 

I was very impressed with the fitness of Mexican players. They played in the 70+ minutes, and still looked very fresh (in stark contrast with the Croats who gassed out). It will be a great game... Both Mexico and Netherlands are good in absorbing pressure and rely on the individual's quickness to counter. Robben + RVP should be able to dominate the aging Rafa Marquez. Need De Jong to shut down Andres Guardado who looks very good on the ball.

 

Is the high fitness level of the CONCACAF teams in general due to being only half way though the season in their leagues?

Mexico has impressed me in the group stages and they only conceded one goal. That is pretty good defending for a team with a supposedly shaky back line.

 

Only the MLS league is in middle season, everyone else is basically on the same schedule the rest of the world is. US league is only messed up one

 

subbed

 

My predictions:

1. Netherlands vs Mexico 1:0
2. Another reactionary win, Mexico will have superior possession
3. Van Gaal will insult everyone who criticizes his system (wil alleen maar ja-knikkers)

 

I agree that Mexico looks very fit, as most Middle and South American sides in this tournament. Shouldn't be underestimated. Croatia and Brazil are fine opponents; Croatia unlucky to been placed in that group and not in the one of France, Colombia, Argentina or Belgium.

 

I'm glad we got Mexico and not Croatia. Mexico will go all out on the offense, they have no other modus. Let them wreck themselves on our cattenaccio!

 

If it ends up being a normal day in Fortaleza then I guess conditions will be very difficult for Oranje. In fact this will be the first time a WC match in Fortaleza kicks off so early in the day. Kuyt seemed confident that the team have ways to deal with this. Hopefully he's right, and hopefully there will be some rain showers and/or clouds (as some weather reports seem to have implied). Otherwise it will clearly be advantage Mexico as far as the weather goes. Oranje arrive on Friday morning which only leaves a couple of days to acclimatize.

Excluding Australia I presume?

Mexico have had a good tournament so far, and they definitely shouldn't be underestimated. Will be a difficult opponent for Oranje. However, IMO as long as our defense performs up to the standard of the last game, then our quality up front should be enough to progress.

 

Well in fairness it's kinda hard to play football in Jan in Chicago or Boston. Yes I know they do in Russia but there's an established football culture and fan base there

 

It's worth noting that Mexico has had difficulty scoring in this tourney. Against Croatia, I remembered the commentators were saying (when the game was still tied 0-0) that Mexico was on the verge of history qualifying to the knockout phase with only scoring a goal. But then, they scored the first goal from a free-kick, the flood gate opened up because Croatia came up gun blazing chasing for an equalizer and abandoned defense altogether.

Hopefully the Dutch defense + Nigel De Jong can force a shutout. I am sure the rest will take care of itself, as I believe the quality of Oranje front players will be enough to see it through. Sneijer really needs to step up. Three mediocre games so far, very disappointing. I would keep Wijnaldum in the starting line up (vs. De Guzman), he will match the quickness of Mexican midfield. Depay as super-sub again.

 

A world cup qualifier was played (USA vs Costa Rica) in a snow blizzard in the US and that was find and dandy.

 

That was a bit of an unusual situation, I don't think running a league on that basis makes much sense. They could still align it better but again the sport is still young here and you won't get many fans going to games in mid December either. I won't go outside to watch hockey in the winter (playing is a different story), I'm certainly not going to watch (mediocre) football in the freeze.

 

I think that's right actually, makes even more sense.

 

Same here. Every reason to believe that this game could go 120 minutes, in the heat & humidity. That can be worrisome. Subs will play a huge role in this game

 

It only appears that way (Méxicos low scoring tally) because of referee decisions. México scored two more goals on the first game against Cameroon, but were wrongly called offside. Although I do believe we are having a bit more problems than we should considering that we are stacked on forwards this tournament.

 

Depay had nice things to say in general about the WC & Robben

 

im scared more beause of the way european teams have dropped like flies. our history against teams we should beat aint so bad