NETHERLANDS 6-1 HUNGARY, Amsterdam, 05/06/10
Van Persie 22, Sneijder 56, Robben 64, 78, Van Bommel 71, Elia 74; Dzsudzsak 6

The Netherlands came from behind to emphatically beat Hungary, bringing the UFWC title to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

Despite a bright start for the home team it was Hungary who took the lead in the 6th minute, as a Torghelle pass split the defence open as it found Dzsudzsak on the edge of the box, and he curled into the top corner, to possibly set up an upset.

Both teams had decent chances in the first half, but it was the Netherlands who struck next as Kuyt passed the ball into Van Persie who slotted it into the net to bring the match to 1-1, which was the score at half-time, a score that both teams thoroughly deserved.

However the Netherlands started the second half with real intent, as they ran riot over the opposition. It started with a cross from Van Bronckhorst which found Wesley Sneijder as he comfortably hit the back of the net. Things got worse for Hungary in the 64th minute, as a cross from the right fizzed through the 6-yard box to find Arjen Robben at the far post who hit the ball past the flailing Marton Fulop.

By this stage Hungary were utterly flattened and the Netherlands were in the driving seat, so there was only one outcome: more goals. In the 71st minute a short corner was taken and passed to Van Bommel standing on the edge of the box, who aimed it into the bottom corner, with a hint of a deflection taking it away from the goalkeeper.

Then only three minutes later Eljero Elia scored the goal of the match. Receiving the ball on the wing, he sprinted past one defender, ran around another two on the edge of the box, and struck the ball through the legs of a fourth as the goalkeeper found it impossible to keep out.

Robben scored again four minutes later as a corner found him at the back of the box as he ‘simply’ lifted the ball over the crowd of players and into the top corner, away from Fulop.

Unfortunately a shadow was cast over the match after 85 minutes, as Robben attempted a complicated pass and fell awkwardly. He limped off the pitch and down the tunnel for treatment, as the Netherlands finished the match with 10 men having used all their substitutes.

Hopefully Robben will be okay to play at the World Cup in South Africa, as the Netherlands take the UFWC trophy with them into Group E, where they will come up against Denmark, Japan and Cameroon.

The Netherlands’ first World Cup match, and next UFWC title match, will be against Denmark on June 14th, which we will preview for you soon.

Match Reports Hungary, Netherlands

NETHERLANDS vs HUNGARY, Amsterdam, 05/06/10

As the Netherlands prepare for this ‘friendly’ match in preparation for the World Cup, there is more at stake as this match is the match to decide whether the UFWC title will be taken to the World Cup, or whether it will miss out for the third World Cup in a row.

The Netherlands have been worthy UFWC champions, having defended the title 14 times in this reign. A victory against Hungary will not only bring the title to the World Cup, but will make this the joint second-best run in UFWC history, equaling Germany’s string of 15 defences from 1996 to 1998. As well as trying to break a UFWC record, the Netherlands are trying to bring the UFWC title to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 when Argentina brought it to the World Cup and France became undisputed world champions, winning both the World Cup and UFWC trophies in the final.

Even though Hungary haven’t qualified for the World Cup, their record in the UFWC is not one to be looked down upon. They have been UFWC champions seven times, including twice within the past three years. Despite this however, they have not had a successful period, having only won one of their last eight matches, which is reflected in them being 9/1 to claim the title; the Netherlands are 1/50 to retain. Everything suggests that this will be an easy defence, but we all know that football is never that easy, and anything can happen on any given day.

So, will the UFWC title finally make its way back to the World Cup, or will the Netherlands’ quest fail at the final hurdle? Find out at 1pm this Saturday.

Match Previews Hungary, Netherlands