Posts Tagged ‘John Heitinga’

Spain came away with a 1-0 win as Andres Iniesta landed a goal late in added time. They were the fave in free sportsbook betting vs holland in the World Cup final.

Since the competition went beyond regulation time, for those that bet the game on the three-way line at the online sports books it was the draw that was the winner.

Sportsbook probabilities for soccer betting posted Spain as the fave to win the World Cup before the tournament commenced and despite the fact that they scored only eight total goals in the tournament, Spain won the World Cup for the 1st time in their history. The netherlands, who ended 2nd for the third time in their history, experienced a bitter defeat. Andres Iniesta scored a goal late in extra time for the only goal of the match. The netherlands was playing with only 10 men after defender John Heitinga got a red card in the 19th minute of extra time. Spain truly put on the strain after holland was shorthanded and Iniesta took a fine pass from Cesc Fabregas and managed to get a shot just past Holland goalkeeper Maarten Steklenburg.

The game between holland and Spain was pretty physical right from the start and a record amount of yellow cards were handed out. Neither team had a large number of chances as each team got four shots on goal but both goalkeepers made huge saves. Spain’s Iker Casillas made a fabulous kick save on Arjen Robben in the 62nd minute to hold the competition scoreless. As well as a save on Sergio Ramos early in the competition, Steklenburg also had his moments.

Holland made sure that Spain did not get through easily, though Spain had the better of the chances throughout the match. In the end, it was 1 too many fouls that cost holland. Heitinga yanked back Iniesta when he was seeking to take a pass from Xavi that could have set him clear. It was almost certainly a quality foul as it saved a clear scoring chance. Spain did not convert the following free kick but with the netherlands down to ten men, Spain ramped up the strain and Iniesta landed a goal only minutes before the game would have gone to a penalty shootout.

The low scoring competition and the added time win were great results for the online sports books since the draw was the winner on the three-way line and the 1-0 final meant the game went under the total.

Here’s the best part. The winner of the game was predicted by the now well-known Paul, a Berlin octopus who has accurately selected the winners of a number of World Cup games. Any person following Paul consistently in the World Cup gambling should have come away a little bit richer.

In addition to the final competition on Sunday, a competition to determine third place was held Saturday between Germany and Uruguay. In a 3-2 victory, Germany won the match. Uruguay will be proud of their accomplishments, nonetheless – they were not anticipated to make it this far at all. And for the second time consecutively, Germany has taken third place.

Outright Odds: 12/1
Group C Winners: 13/8

New coach Marco van Basten has proven to be a revelation off the pitch as much as he was on it since taking over the Dutch national team. Plucked from an obscure youth coaching role at Ajax where he kept his head down and had low responsibilities when Dick Advocaat quit after Euro 2004, van Basten has made this new-look Dutch team his own.

Out with the old and in with the new seems to be van Basten’s philosophy so while former well known favourites such as Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert have been given the chop, some of the best players the Dutch Eredivisie has to offer have come in to replace them.

Players such as AZ Alkmaar’s Denny Landzaat, Feyenoord’s Dirk Kuyt and Ajax’s Ryan Babel may not be household names yet but have all won the backing of the manager. Ajax have a strong representation in the squad, with John Heitinga, Nigel de Jong, Hedwiges Maduro and Wesley Sneijder, all under the age of 23, vying for a place in the starting line-up.

The faith shown in locally-based players along with more recognisable faces such as evergreen trio Edwin van der Sar, Edgar Davids and Philip Cocu and the likes of Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooy has paid off.

The team are showing true team spirit and togetherness, unlike the inconsistent squads of the past and in qualifying notched up 32 points, the highest of any European side. Holland finished five points clear at the top of their group that also included bogey side Czech Republic and Romania, both of whom they beat twice. Surprisingly, the only country they didn’t beat was Macedonia who they drew with twice.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was in scintillating form during qualifying with seven goals in 10 matches and now back in favour at Manchester United, could be a good investment for the top goalscorer market.

The Dutch are always one of the favourites for the tournament but never quite manage it. They have reached the final twice, the semi finals and quarter final stages but never have enough to win it outright.

The team entering this year have little World Cup experience and it would be a big ask of this team to go all the way in Germany.

BetBonus.co.uk Recommendation:
Holland offer better value to win Group C than Argentina but a lack of experience throughout the squad means they cannot be backed to win the tournament outright. Ruud van Nistelrooy could be a good each-way investment for the top goal scorer berth on his debut at the finals.

Holland to win Group C @ 13/8
E/W Ruud van Nistelrooy as top goalscorer @ 16/1