The Netherlands are confident they can beat Portugal for the first time in 15 years on Sunday and in so doing progress into the World Cup quarter-finals.
NUREMBERG: The Netherlands are confident they can beat Portugal for the first time in 15 years on Sunday and in so doing progress into the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Dutch have not beaten Portugal since 1991 and their semi-final loss to the Portuguese at Euro 2004 is still fresh in the memory, but Marco van Basten's remodelled team believe destiny is on their side ahead.
"Portugal beat us two years ago, but the next game is something completely different. This is a new, young team, and we have new ideas," said Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Two years ago, goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Maniche broke Dutch hearts on a frenetic night in Lisbon. Previously, Portugal wrecked the Netherlands' 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign with an away win and home draw. But the Netherlands have not lost a competitive match since that semi-final after van Basten took over from Dick Advocaat.
"Now, up against Portugal, we have to forget about the trauma of Euro 2004," said Phillip Cocu.
"Don't look at the past, but only think about playing a good match."
The Netherlands will be under no illusions about the size of the task, with World Cup-winning coach Scolari masterminding a Portuguese record of 17 matches unbeaten. But despite Portugal's quality, and Scolari's unmatched World Cup pedigree, van Basten remains quietly confident.
"Now we're up against Portugal. We know they're excellent but we're also not bad," he said.
"Preparations will not change. If we're lucky, we've got four finals to go, matches where you can make no errors because you cannot go back on them."
Van Basten can turn to Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Chelsea flyer Arjen Robben, who were rested for the final group match with Argentina. The former Dutch great may also bench van Nistelrooy in favour of Feyenoord marksman Dirk Kuyt after aiming criticism at the Manchester United man.
"Ruud has not been good. He hasn't been on form in the first matches," van Basten said. "He has to give us a lot more."
Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is expected to win his 113th cap, beating Frank de Boer's Dutch record. Scolari meanwhile goes into the game on a record 10-match World Cup winning streak, including seven as he led his native Brazil to the title in 2002.
Wins against Angola, Iran and Mexico saw Portugal through Group D with maximum points and minimum fuss, with the Brazilian even able to rest five first-team players for the final match. Lisbon scorers Ronaldo and Maniche were both on target in the first round as Portugal reached the knock-out stages for the first time since 1966.
Scolari predicted a tight match which may go to penalties. "I don't think we're better than Holland -- in 2004 we had a good match and better chances to score so we went through," he said.
"Secondly this is a completely different Holland with a new coach, new tactics and new players, so I think that the two teams are very equal.
"Probably one of the teams is going to win by the difference of one goal or maybe we will go to penalties to decide it after 120 minutes."
Portugal will welcome back Ronaldo, Deco, Pauleta and Nuno Valente, who were all stood down against Mexico as a precaution against them getting a second yellow card. The Netherlands were losing finalists in 1974 and 1978 while Portugal's best performance was third place in 1966.
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