As the semi-finals approached, the media began to get busy, listening to various news about the final four while analyzing the personnel arrangements and tactical play of each team.

More importantly, they will have to predict the outcome of the two semi-finals. The media generally believed that the Netherlands had a better chance of beating Uruguay, but there were also media outlets that the Netherlands were likely to lose at the feet of Uruguay.

The German newspaper Bild is an example of this view: the Netherlands played only one warm-up game before coming to South Africa, which is very rare, and it is the fewest of the 32 teams.

In the only warm-up match, they almost lost to Uruguay.

After more than a month, the two teams meet again, will Uruguay give up this opportunity?

It was clear that Uruguay found a hole in the Dutch defence in that warm-up game, which was a source of confidence for them to win.

The reason why they were ultimately reversed that game was because Chen came on as a substitute and activated the Dutch attack group, so Uruguay will have to find a way to freeze Chen if they want to win this semi-final.

As long as the Arsenal supernova with super mental quality is frozen, Uruguay will have a 70% chance of winning the final victory!

According to the observation of this reporter, in the training in recent days, Uruguayan coach Tabarez asked Suarez, who could not appear in the semifinals, to play Chen, in order to find a way to freeze Chen.

Judging from the training effect, it is still very good.

So this newspaper believes that Uruguay's victory over the Netherlands is very likely!

……

The Dutch media also warned the Dutch team to be careful and not to be careless, Uruguay is not as weak as people think.

"To be able to reach the semi-finals is a good indication of Uruguay's quality!"

The Telegraph said: "Although Suarez was unable to feature in the semi-final due to a red card, Forlan was in fine form and scored a beautiful direct free-kick in the quarter-finals.

Behind Forlan, Cavani and Arévalo both have the ability to make a final decision.

If the Dutch defence makes another fatal mistake like it did against Brazil, it will be in trouble.

Van Marwijk's focus on renovating the defensive line is not actually airtight, but there are holes, and the position between them is a big problem.

On many occasions, the gap between the full-backs and centre-backs was too large, leaving the opposition with a lethal chance.

That's the one that conceded against Brazil.

The attacking line, which we are so proud of, will be put to the test in the semi-finals. Whether the two wings can play alive and fly will determine whether they can break through the opponent's goal.

Will Uruguay give the two of them a chance to fly?

Obviously, the Uruguayans will find a way to keep them from flying, and in this case we have to rely on set-pieces and long-range shots.

Therefore, when we attack, we must cherish the opportunity of set-pieces in the front, and the good news is that we found that after training in recent days, Sneijder, Robben and Chen are all practicing free kicks!

It seems that the players are fully aware of this! ”

The Uruguayan media pointed out very clearly that the key to victory or defeat in the semifinals is whether Uruguay can contain Robben and Chen Fan.

"You must not let the two of them run, it is certain, for sure!"

Uruguayan Football Weekly said: "As long as the two wings of the Netherlands are contained, Uruguay has a great chance of reaching the final! ”

……

Fast forward to July 6, and the semi-final between the Netherlands and Uruguay will be played at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town at 8.30pm tonight.

Uruguay's adaptation time is scheduled in the morning, and at 11 o'clock in the morning, Uruguay walked out of the Green Dot Stadium and finished the training for adapting to the venue.

Reporters immediately gathered around, and a Dutch reporter turned to Suarez and asked: "Do you regret not being able to play in such an important match as the semi-finals?" ”

Suarez wiped the sweat from his forehead, shrugged his shoulders and said, "There are definitely regrets, but I don't regret what I did at that time." ”

Had it not been for Suarez keeping the football out of the door with his hands, Uruguay would probably not have been able to send the game to extra-time, as it was already stoppage time, which would have been a great strike.

Suarez was shown a red card for handball, but he proved right when Gian smashed the penalty over the crossbar and the game went to extra-time.

Neither team scored in extra-time and the game had to go to a brutal penalty shoot-out, with Uruguay having the last laugh.

Suffice it to say that without Suarez's handball, it would now be Ghana, not Uruguay, who are playing the semi-finals against the Netherlands.

A French journalist asked: "Do you have confidence in Uruguay?" ”

Suarez blurted out: "Of course! I have a lot of confidence in our team, but we have to defend first and not give Chen any chances. ”

"Of course it's hard, but we have to do it!"

The remark piqued the interest of the reporters, and one Italian journalist asked: "You and Chen used to be teammates, what impression did he give you?" Or rather, what do you think of him? ”

Suarez said helplessly: "When Chen was at Ajax, what impressed me the most was that he was a guy who did not admit defeat, he would not admit defeat at any time, even if we were three goals behind, he would firmly believe that we could come back." ”

Thinking of Chen Fan, Surares had a headache: "After arriving at Arsenal, I found that this damn guy's skills have been enhanced again, and not a little bit. ”

As he spoke, he gestured as if a tall building had suddenly appeared in front of him.

'When I was at Ajax, he said he was going to shock the world and I thought he could do it, but I didn't expect him to do it in just one year.

He paused and said, "It's hard to define what kind of player he is, he has the speed that all players envy and hate, and he has the super tackling ability that all defenders want to have.

He's capable of playing anywhere but goalkeeper, and although he hasn't played centre-back yet, I think he'll be able to do that. ”

Suarez looked at the Italian journalist who asked the question and said: "How do you define a player like this? Can you attack and defend? No, that's the word for a midfielder, but he spends a lot of time on the pitch as a striker. ”

These words really stumped the well-informed reporters, and after thinking about it, they also felt that it was difficult to define a player like Chen Fan, who can play multiple positions on the field, no matter which position he plays, it seems that he cannot fully exert his ability.

……

At four o'clock in the afternoon, a pre-race press conference was held at the Holiday Inn in Cape Town.

Van Marwijk said: "Tonight is going to be a very difficult game and we are ready for any difficult situation! ”

Uruguay coach Tabarez said: "The Netherlands are strong, but we have found a way to deal with them! ”