NETHERLANDS 0-0 USA, Amsterdam 03/03/10
Kuyt (pen) 40, Huntelaar 73 (Netherlands), Bocanegra 89 (USA)

And the Dutch go marching on. This 2-1 victory saw the Netherlands retain their title in the first UFWC match of 2010. The Dutch led at halftime through a Dirk Kuyt penalty. Substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar added a second with just over quarter of an hour to go. Carlos Bocanegra scored a late consolation goal for the USA in the 89th minute.

The Netherlands now need just one more UFWC win to draw level with Russia in 4th place in the UFWC all-time rankings. They will have the opportunity to do that on 26 May, when they take on Mexico in Innsbruck. Like the Dutch, the Mexicans will be at the World Cup Finals in June, so whoever wins we will be one step closer to seeing the UFWC title competed for in South Africa.

Match Reports Netherlands, USA

NETHERLANDS vs USA, Amsterdam 03/03/10

The Unofficial Football World Championships 2010 fixture list gets underway on Wednesday with a real cracker, featuring two teams on their way to South Africa to compete in the World Cup this summer.

The Netherlands are formidable UFWC champions, having held the title for 12 straight games, remaining unbeaten throughout 2009. The Dutch are ranked fifth in the UFWC rankings, just two points behind Russia. FIFA rank the Netherlands third in the world.

But the Dutch have found it difficult to hit the net in recent games. The side’s last 3 UFWC matches, including the last game against Paraguay, ended in goalless draws. The absence of the Robin van Persie, badly injured in a UFWC title clash with Italy in November, will not help matters.

The USA are ranked a lowly 36th in the UFWC rankings, having chalked up only 2 UFWC victories. The first was a famous 1-0 World Cup victory over England in 1950, and the second was a 1-0 win over Portugal in 1992. FIFA rank the Americans higher, at 14th in the world.

The USA warmed up for this one by beating El Salvador 2-1 last week. In a team made up of MLS stars, several players staked claims for a place in the USA’s World Cup squad. Brian Ching and Sacha Kljestan scored the goals. But the USA’s European-based stars will be back for the Netherlands game.

Can the Netherlands continue their epic UFWC title reign, or will the USA take the title towards the World Cup? Who will win? Make your prediction below, and tune in on Wednesday to find out.

Match Previews Netherlands, USA

NETHERLANDS 0-0 PARAGUAY, Heerenveen 18/11/09

Another 0-0 draw retained the UFWC title for the Netherlands in this friendly international.

Both sides were missing key players, and neither were able to create many goalscoring chances.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk replaced the injured Arsenal forward Robin van Persie with PSV Eindhoven’s Ibrahim Afellay. Meanwhile, Paraguay were without Manchester City’s Roque Santa Cruz.

Chances for both sides were mostly limited to long range efforts, and the nearest anyone came to breaking the deadlock was in injury time when Dutch substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar forced a diving save from Justo Villar.

The match market the end of UFWC competition in 2009, and the Dutch will now take the title into 2010.

The next match pencilled in for the Dutch will see them take on the USA in Amsterdam in March.

Match Reports Netherlands, paraguay

NETHERLANDS vs PARAGUAY, Heerenveen 18/11/09

UFWC champions the Netherlands, some say Holland, will defend their title against South American opposition on Wednesday, with Paraguay standing between the Dutch and a full year of UFWC supremacy.

The Netherlands will have been champions for 364 days when they take on Paraguay, having taken the title from Sweden on 19 November 2008.

And Paraguay will be the first South American side to challenge for the UFWC in three years, since Uruguay lost the title in November 2006.

Paraguay have won seven UFWC title matches, the last of which was a 3-0 victory over Chile back in November 1979 – thirty years ago this month.

Paraguay are ranked 22nd in the UFWC all-time rankings, compared to Holland’s 5th placing, and were beaten 2-0 by Qatar at the weekend.

However, the South Americans qualified impressively for World Cup 2010, beating Brazil and Argentina along the way.

Paraguay will be captained by Sunderland defender Paulo De Silva, and will boast an attack led by Roque Santa Cruz of Manchester City.

The Netherlands will be without Arsenal striker Robin van Persie, who suffered torn ligaments in the early stages of Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Italy.

This match will mark an end to UFWC competition for 2009. If the Netherlands can retain their title, they have a friendly match pencilled in for March in which they would defend the title against the USA.

Who will take the UFWC title into 2010? Make your prediction below, and read a match report here after the game.

Match Previews Netherlands, paraguay