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Iceland v Netherlands Euro 2016 Qualifier

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(SportingAlert.com) — Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Jeremain Lens lead the attack for the Netherlands in today’s Euro 2016 Qualifying Group A clash at Iceland.

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The Manchester United forward Van Persie will be the main forward, but will get lots of support from Robben, who is expected to continue his free role again down the right-hand side.

Manchester United holding midfielder Daley Blind plays at right-back, while Nigel de Jong plays the holding role and Ibrahim Afellay and Wesley Sneijder play in front of him.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Jeffrey Bruma, Jordy Clasie and Leroy Fer are all on the substitute’s bench.

Iceland team: 1. Hannes Thor Halldorsson 18. Theodor Bjarnason 14. Kari Arnason 6. Ragnar Sigurdsson 23. Ari Freyr Skulason 8. Birkir Bjarnason 17. Aron Gunnarsson 10. Gylfi Sigurdsson 20. Emil Hallfredsson 22. Jon Dadi Bodvarsson 9. Kolbeinn Sigthorsson

Netherlands team: 1. Jasper Cillessen 2. Gregory van der Wiel 3. Stefan de Vrij 4. Bruno Martins Indi 5. Daley Blind 8. Ibrahim Afellay 6. Nigel de Jong 10. Wesley Sneijder 11. Arjen Robben 9. Robin van Persie 7. Jeremain Lens.

Sneijder injured in warm-up, De Guzman starts: Brazil v Holland on ESPN3

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BRASILIA (SportingAlert) — The Netherlands have suffered a massive blow ahead of their World Cup third place playoff game with Brazil as Wesley Sneijder was forced out of the game.

Watch live on ESPN3.com and ESPN and WatchESPN.

Sneijder seems to have suffered a hamstring injury during the team warm-up and the playmaker has been replaced in midfield by Jonathan de Guzman.

Swansea City star De Guzman will offer good support to attackers Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie, with Jordy Clasie, the other change to the side from the last time out, also starting in the middle.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari makes six changes to the side that was hammered 7-1 against Germany in the semi-final, with captain Thiago Silva returning from suspension to start in defense.

Fellow defender Maxwell, midfielders Willian, Paulinho and Ramires and forward Jo, all come into the starting team as well, with Dante, Marcelo, Bernard, Fernandinho, Hulk and Fred, the players making way.

Brazil v Netherlands Team News; Live Coverage

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BRASILIA (SportingAlert) — As expected, head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari makes a host of changes to his Brazil side for today’s World Cup third-place playoff game with the Netherlands in Brasília.

Kick-off at 4:00 PM ET. Watch and Listen live streaming on: Univision, TalkSport Radio, ESPN3.com and UnivisionDeportes.com, ESPN and WatchESPN. Live TV Channels and More Here | Live World Cup Scores Updates

The starting lineup sees the return of captain Thiago Silva in defense after a one game suspension.

Coming into the starting team as well are Jo, Maxwell, Paulinho, Ramires and Willian, with the likes of Hulk, Fred, Fernandinho, Marcelo, Bernard and Dante, all making way from the team that played against Germany in semi-finals.

For the Netherlands, captain Robin van Persie does start, despite suggestions that he could be rested for this fixture.

However, Nigel de Jong, who started against Argentina in the semis, makes way this time round, with Jordy Clasie, who replaced him in the second half getting the start this evening in the Estadio Nacional.

Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Daley Blind, Dirk Kuyt and Georginio Wijnaldum all start as well in a very strong looking Netherlands team.

Brazil: Cesar, Maicon, Thiago Silva, Luiz, Maxwell, Paulinho, Gustavo, Ramires, Oscar, Willian, Jo.

Holland: Cillessen, Kuyt, Martins Indi, De vrij, Vlaar, Blind, Wijnaldum, Clasie, sneijder, Robben, Van Persie.

Video: Tim Krul Saves! Netherlands beat Costa Rica in Shootout

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SALVADOR (SportingAlert) — Tim Krul made two big-time saves in the penalty shootout and made Louis van Gaal look like a genius as the Netherlands matched into the World Cup semi-finals.


A Crazy Match!! Netherland vs Costa rica… by bouzianovix

Tim Krul was brilliant for the Netherlands in the shootout

Holland booked their last four place in dramatic fashion after beating Costa Rica in a shootout, following teams’ failure to score a goal in opening play.

The two teams were deadlock at 0-0 after 120 minutes of action in their World Cup quarter-finals, and the deciding result had to be settled via the dreadful penalty shootout.

In the end, the Netherlands earned their place into the semis and setup a date with Lionel Messi and Argentina on Wednesday evening, with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory.

Newcastle shot-stopper Krul, who came on in the last seconds of extra-time during overtime play, saved two penalty kicks, much to the delight of his boss Van Gaal and fellow Holland teammates.

Krul said: “This is what you work for for seven weeks. Now you can see, you have to do this with all 23 men. We had looked at them, but we didn’t learn anything.

“The power was standing still and then going in. Me and goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek worked on it.”

“The sub was terrific, if you see something like that, it deserves credit,” Dutch captain Robin van Persie, who converted his spot kick said. “We know Tim Krul is great at stopping pens.”

Earlier, Holland failed to put away any other their many chances to win the game, with Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas coming up with a number of outstanding saves to keep his team in the contest.

At the other end, Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen was also forced into making some big-time saves, including one right at the death, to save his team from being upset by the CONCACAF side.

Holland midfielder Wesley Sneijder twice hit the post when Navas looked well beaten during open play.

The Netherlands will now face Argentina in the second semi-final at the World Cup after Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal in his team’s 1-0 win over Belgium at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha.

Victory sees Argentina making it to the last four for the first time since 1990 when they finished runners-up and Diego Maradona was the star man.

WatchESPN/ESPN3 Live Streaming: Netherlands v Costa Rica

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SALVADOR (SportingAlert) — Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder both shake off knocks to start for the Netherlands in their World Cup quarter-finals clash with Costa Rica here at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador on Saturday.

Watch and Listen live streaming on- Kick-off at 4pm ET: ESPN, Univision, TalkSport Radio, ESPN3.com and UnivisionDeportes.com, ITV, STV, UTV and WatchESPN. Live TV Channels and More Here | Live World Cup Scores Updates | World Cup Quarter-Finals Full Schedule Here |

Van Persie had been bothered by a muscle problem he picked up in training this week and was doubtful for the game. The Manchester United forward, however, has been cleared to continue leading the attack.

Midfielder Sneijder, who scored the equalizing goal against Mexico in the 2-1 win, has been nursing a slight back strain, but he too has come through a fitness test to start this evening.

Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt continues to play a defensive role for Holland, with Stefan de Vrij and Bruno Martins Indi, who returns to the team, also starting as well, as head coach Louis van Gaal making two changes to his Netherlands side which started against Mexico.

Memphis Depay also comes into the starting lineup, with Nigel de Jong out injured and Paul Verhaegh on the bench.

Costa Rica, meanwhile, make one change from the side that started against Greece in the round of 16, with Johnny Acosta replacing Oscar Duarte, who is out because of suspension.

Watch Netherlands v Mexico World Cup Live on ESPN3

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FORTALEZA (SportingAlert) — Robin van Persie returns to the starting lineup for the Netherlands in today’s World Cup round of 16 clash with Mexico in Fortaleza.

Kick-off is live at 12:00 PM on ESPN, Univision, ESPN3.com, UnivisionDeportes.com. Live TV Channels and More Here | Live World Cup Scores Updates | World Cup Round of 16 Full Schedule Here

Van Persie is back after missing the last group stage game against Chile because of a one match suspension and the Manchester United forward will lead the Dutch attack alongside Arjen Robben.

Both players have scored three goals so far at the tournament and are expected to be a handful for Mexico.

Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong, 15 Dirk Kuyt and Georginio Wijnaldum are all starters as well for Holland, which is without full-back Bruno Martins Indi, who is still recovering from a concussion.

As expected, Carlos Salcido comes into the team to play as the holding midfielder with Héctor Herrera and Andrés Guardado also starting in midfield.

Versatile defender Rafael Márquez, who scored the opening goal in the victory over Croatia, leads the team from the backline.

Despite being the favourites to book a place into the quarter-finals, Louis van Gaal has warmed his Dutch side not to get ahead of themselves against a Mexican side that was very impressive in the group stage and held Brazil to a 0-0 draw.

Holland v Mexico

Holland: Cillessen, Vlaar, De Vrij, Verhaegh, Kuyt, Wijnaldum, De Jong, Blind, Sneijder, Robben, van Persie. Subs: Vorm, Martins Indi, Janmaat, de Guzman, Veltman, Kongolo, Clasie, Lens, Fer, Huntelaar, Depay, Krul

Mexico: Ochoa, Aguilar, Rodriguez, Marquez, Moreno, Layun, Salcido, Herrera, Guardado, Giovani, Peralta. Subs: Corona, Reyes, Fabian, Jimenez, Pulido, Hernandez, Ponce, Brizuela, Aquino, Pena, Talavera

Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

Live Streaming Holland v Chile on ESPN3 and WatchESPN

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SAO PAULO, Brazil (SportingAlert) — Chile and Netherlands both named strong sides for today’s World Cup Group B top of the table clash in Sao Paulo.

Live Streaming Holland v Chile on ESPN3 and WatchESPN | Live TV Channels Here

Holland goes into the game without suspended skipper Robin van Persie, but Arjen Robben, who captains the side tonight, and Wesley Sneijder both start, as manager Louis van Gaal made three changes from the team that defeated Australia 3-2 last week.

Coming into the starting lineup are Jeremain Lens, Georginio Wijnaldum and Dirk Kuyt, with Van Persie, Martins Indi and Jonathan de Guzman the ones making way.

Chile, in the meantime, make just the one adjustment to its side from the team that beat defending champions Spain 2-0.

Rested today by Jorge Sampaoli is Juventus star Arturo Vidal, who continues to work on his fitness, with Felipe Guiterrez coming into the team to replace him in midfield.

Eduardo Vargas and Alexis Sanchez leads the attack again.

Holland v Chile

Holland: Cillessen, Blind, Vlaar, De Vrij, Kuyt, De Jong, Wijnaldum, Janmaat, Sneijder, Lens, Robben. Subs: Vorm, Martins Indi, de Guzman, Verhaegh, Veltman, Kongolo, Clasie, Fer, Huntelaar, Depay, Krul

Chile: Bravo, Silva, Medel, Jara, Isla, Aranguiz, Diaz, Mena, Gutierrez, Vargas, Alexis. Subs: Toselli, Albornoz, Carmona, Vidal, Pinilla, Valdivia, Rojas, Orellana, Beausejour, Fuenzalida, Paredes, Herrera<

Referee: Bakary Gassama (Gambia)

Watch Australia v Holland Live on ESPN3/ESPN

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (SportingAlert.com) — Following their convincing 5-1 thrashing of Spain in the opening game, Group B favourites Netherlands will face Australia in the second game of the group stages here at Estadio Beira-Rio.

Watch Australia v Holland Live on ESPN3.com/ESPN/WatchESPN | Click Here For Live World Cup TV Channels

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, who both scored twice in the victory over the defending champions, lead that attack again for Holland, as they seek to book an early second round place.

The versatile Daley Blind, who has been linked with several clubs for their left-back position, moves up to play in midfield today, while Jonathan de Guzman, Nigel de Jong and Wesley Sneijder also start this contest.

Veteran Dirk Kuyt, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jeremain Lens are amongst the substitutes today for the Dutch team.

For Australia, they will be hoping to rebound from the opening group fixture defeat to Chile and give themselves a chance of making the knock-off round.

Tim Cahill, who scored in the 3-1 defeat in the opener, Tommy Oar, Mathew Leckie and Jason Davidson are amongst the starters today.

Australia v Holland

Holland: Cillessen, Martins Indi, Vlaar, De Vrij, Janmaat, De Jong, Blind, de Guzman, Sneijder, van Persie, Robben. Subs: Vorm, Verhaegh, Veltman, Kongolo, Kuyt, Clasie, Lens, Fer, Huntelaar, Wijnaldum, Depay, Krul.

Australia: Ryan, McGowan, Wilkinson, Spiranovic, Davidson, Leckie, Jedinak, McKay, Oar, Bresciano, Cahill. Subs: Langerak, Wright, Taggart, Halloran, Bozanic, Troisi, Holland, Vidosic, Luongo, Galekovic.

Referee: Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria)

Louis van Gaal announced Netherlands World Cup 23-man squad

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(SportingAlert.com) — Louis van Gaal has announced his Netherlands final 23-man World Cup 2014 squad, as he prepares for a difficult group in Brazil next month.

The 23-man squad, which is without the injured Rafael van der Vaart, who was forced to miss the tournament with a calf problem, sees Manchester City’s Karim Rekik, Feyenoord pair Tonny Vilhena and Jean-Paul Boetius, PSV’s Jeroen Zoet, Twente’s Quincy Promes and Chelsea’s Patrick van Aanholt also dropped.

Included though are Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder of Galatasaray and Fenerbahce’s former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt.

Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Michel Vorm (Swansea)

Defenders: Daley Blind, Joel Veltman (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, (all Feyenoord), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven).

Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).

Chelsea v Galatasaray Live CL Streaming and Team News

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Striker Samuel Eto’o returns to the starting lineup for Chelsea for tonight Champions League last-16 second leg clash with Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea v Galatasaray Live CL Streaming | Follow Live Latest Soccer Scores

Eto’o comes back into the team for Fernando Torres, who scored the opening goal in the tie, while starting also is playmaker Oscar.

Starting also is Eden Hazard, a player Jose Mourinho said is “the best young player in the world,” with Ramires and Willian, who were both sent off in the English Premier League defeat to Aston Villa at the weekend, start also.

Meanwhile forward Didier Drogba is amongst the starters tonight for Galatasaray, while attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who played for Mourinho at Inter Milan in Roberto Mancini starting XI as well.

“We know it will be really difficult because Chelsea are one of the best teams in Europe,” Mancini said.

“But in football you never say never. Anything can happen if you believe in yourself.”

Both teams played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

Chelsea v Galatasaray

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Lampard, Oscar, Hazard, Willian, Eto’o. Subs: Schwarzer, Luiz, Torres, Mikel, Schurrle, Ba, Kalas.

Galatasaray: Muslera, Alex, Chedjou, Kaya, Eboue, Felipe Melo, Inan, Sneijder, Kurtulus, Drogba, Burak Yilmaz. Subs: Ceylan, Burdisso, Gulselam, Hajrovic, Bulut, Balta, Sarioglu.

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)