Finland | VS
| Netherlands |
| Date/Time: | Sep 6, 2011, 5:00 pm(GMT) |
| Competition: | UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifying |
| Live/Repeat: | Live |
| Venue: | Helsingin olympiastadion (Helsinki (Helsingfors)) |
Finland vs Holland Preview
Wesley Sneijder has warned Holland not to become complacent as they look to all but seal qualification for Euro 2012 on Wednesday night.
The Oranje, on the back of their 11-0 thumping of San Marino on Friday, lead the group by six points and, with nearest rivals Sweden having only nine to play for as they travel to face the group minnows, victory in Finland would take them to the brink of the tournament proper.
But Inter Milan midfielder Sneijder is taking nothing for granted in Helsinki, particularly after a narrow 2-1 win over the same opposition in Eindhoven in September.
Two early goals from Klaas Jan Huntelaar, the second a penalty, appeared to have put Bert van Marwijk's side in control that night but Mikael Forssell quickly halved the deficit and Finland threatened an equaliser on several occasions.
Sneijder told De Telegraaf: "Finland are of a different calibre to San Marino.
"In De Kuip we had a hard game against them. Let's first concentrate on winning."
Sneijder scored two goals and had a hand in two more on Friday as Holland emphasised the difference in class between the sides placed first and joint-last in FIFA's world rankings with their record win.
"I did not know the record was 9-0, but at some point we said to each other: 'now let's go for 10'," said the 27-year-old, who netted the record-breaking goal.
"Then you finally break the record and it's obviously nice to have scored the 10th."
But that landmark strike did not provide his highlight of the match.
"No," he said. "It was actually that through-ball in the first half with the outside of my right foot through the crowded defence to send Robin van Persie through on goal. Too bad he did not score."
Van Marwijk will have a full squad to select from for tomorrow's match after Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm returned to full training following a niggling knee injury.
Finland will again be without Alexei Eremenko, who was not included in the squad for their double-header having been without a club since leaving Kilmarnock at the end of last season and also suffered with a knee problem.
The Dutch will come up against a familiar foe in Finland's AZ Alkmaar defender Niklas Moisander, who said: "I've lived eight years in Holland and so the game is special."
The hosts also go into the match boosted by a goal glut last week, having hammered Moldova 4-1 with the aid of Kasper Hamalainen's double.
Treacherous conditions did not hamper them but could prove far from ideal for the slick passing with which Holland demolished San Marino.
"The grass was slippery," Moisander continued. "It rained all last week and it shows. Pieces of grass were flying out. Long studs are required.
"The performance against Moldova has given us confidence, along with the fact we are always much sharper at home. I intend to win and make it more enjoyable to come home to Alkmaar."
