Preview: Star studded squads should put on a dazzling performance
The fifth and seventh ranked nations in the FIFA ranking will go head to head on Wednesday at the Estádio do Algarve in what promises to be a great match.
Portugal will take their three game winning streak into this highly anticipated friendly, while the Dutch arrive on a four match win streak of their own. One of those streaks will have to come to an end, and most football fans will have their eyes set on this match.
For Robin van Persie, he will get the chance to captain his side in the absence of Wesley Sneijder, who was left out of the squad by Louis van Gaal. Without the Galatasaray midfielder, van Gaal will be trying to defeat the Portuguese for the first time since 1991. It was during the great days of Gullit, Rijkaard, Bergkamp and even van Basten when the Dutch were able to knock off the Lusitanos.
When these two generally meet, it is always a hard fought match. If you have any doubt about that, you will just have to recall their meeting in the 2006 World Cup. All together, this match featured 16 yellow cards and four red cards, setting a record for cards shown in a FIFA international tournament.
So while this match will most likely not be as historic, it still promises to be great on the eyes.
"I am very happy to play against Portugal," van Gaal told the Dutch media. "I do not think we are favorites. Playing against Portugal is always difficult, and on top of that, we play on their turf. Who is in better form? I do not want to go into that. At this moment, it is difficult to pick a team."
The last time van Gaal managed Netherlands against Portugal, both sides drew 2-2 at the Estádio das Antas. With four goals on display in that match, Wednesday's match may be quite similar given the offensive fire power both sides have at their disposal.
Between Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie, goals should not be too difficult to come by. Having gone up against each other regularly in major tournaments, they will know each other well.
The Portuguese eliminated the Netherlands in Euro 2004 in the semi-finals, repeated the trend at World Cup 2006 in that historic match, and added to the Dutch struggles at Euro 2012, sending them home with zero points as they crashed out of the group stage.
Apart from RVP and Ronaldo, Arjen Robben will be another key figure to keep your eye on. The Bayern Munich winger has put in some great performances for the Bavarians over the last year, and with the German Bundesliga already under way, his match form will be on display.
Where to watch the match - live stream, start time, TV channels
Watch Portugal vs Netherlands live:
In the USA at 15:25 ET on: ESPN Deportes, RTP Internacional, ESPN3
In Canada at 15:25 ET on: RTP Internacional
Outside of these viewing areas? Check the match page for full TV listings on where you can follow all the action between these two top 10 ranked nations.
