Salvador (Brazil): Holders Spain open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on Friday (Saturday in India) in a repeat of the 2010 final with the Dutch out for revenge.
Andres Iniesta’s strike four minutes from the end of extra time in the Johannesburg final crowned Spain as world champions for the first time and now, four years later, the European giants clash again at Salvador’s Arena Fonte Nova in the mouth-watering opening match of Group B.
With South American dark horses Chile and Australia still to come, a win for either side would set the group’s agenda.
Captain Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Nigel De Jong and Dirk Kuyt are the five survivors from the 2010 final in the current squad and the Dutch have made no secret of their desire for revenge.
“It was a big chance for us to win the World Cup and we were really close,” said Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar. “It should always burn inside to make something right. To play against them now in the first game is a great challenge.”
Veteran midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who will win his 100th cap in the match, said the wounds of that defeat were still raw.
“It’s like a scar that hasn’t yet healed. It always gets me down when I think about it,” said the Galatasaray star.
As the double European and reigning world champions, Vicente del Bosque’s Spain are bidding to join Brazil and Italy as the only teams to have enjoyed back-to-back World Cup wins.
The ever-loyal Del Bosque is expected to make just one change from the side which started and won the Euro 2012 final with Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta coming in for Alvaro Arbeloa at right-back.
Cameroon clash key for mercurial Mexico
Meanwhile, mercurial Mexico host a troubled Cameroon in the sides’ World Cup Group A opener in Natal on Friday looking to take the first step towards an eventual first appearance in the quarterfinals in nearly 30 years.
Like Mexico, Cameroon endured a tough qualifying campaign that again underlined the central African country’s reputation for internal strife.
Much of that in recent years has revolved around superstar Samuel Eto’o, whom the Cameroon federation once issued with a lengthy ban.
Although Cameroon possess class midfielders in the shape of Alex Song and Enoh Eyong, all eyes will likely be glued on Chelsea striker Eto’o – a four-time African Player of the Year who will be appearing in his fourth finals.
In 2010 the African side left with zero points from three games, and this time Volker Finke’s squad threatened to refuse to board the plane to Brazil due to a row over bonuses. A deal was finally reached, but the episode has enhanced the general feeling that the ‘Indomitable Lions’ will whimper and not roar. (Agencies)
