Alonso ready for ‘kung fu’ re-match

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TWO teams famous for beautiful football met in the 2010 and this is the iconic image. Not a shot, or a feat of majesty but a kick. A kung-fu kick smack in the chest.

And the two players will meet again on Saturday….

Spain v Netherlands kicks off our World Cup group – a crucial clash not just because of the box office appeal, but the consequence of finishing second in the group: a likely date with Brazil in the round of 16.

And everyone will be watching the first time Holland's Nigel de Jong meets Xabi Alonso in midfield, the victim of his infamous "kung fu" style challenge (although, staggeringly, he wasn't sent off for it).

De Jong is ready for another round and will not take a backward step.

"You should not just get carried away that Spain is better than the Dutch team," De Jong said.

"You need to look at how best you can fight against them and how best you can comply with the Dutch school of football."

Xabi Alonso: prepared to put his body on the line again for Spain. Source: Supplied

But what is that style of football?

The Dutch raised eyebrows with their physical style of play in 2010, and in a bid to thwart Spain, don't be surprised if we see it again.

Van Gaal said this week: "Physicality is part of the game of football.

"Four years ago the Dutch team didn't go over the top."

Interesting.

An iconic, infamous moment. Source: AFP

"What is very important is that when the opponent has possession we need to be compact," van Gaal said, adding that the Dutch have to "bypass stations" when they have the ball — hinting at a long-ball game unfamiliar to Dutch fans.

Previously the fluid, interchangeable 4-3-3, it now appears that there will be a huge reliance on Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder on the break, cashing in on a pragmatic, well organised defensive unit with five men at the back.

There's a big burden on van Persie. Source: AFP

But that's not something Spain aren't prepared for.

"The greatest danger from the Netherlands comes from the three players up front; Robben, (Robin) Van Persie and (Wesley) Sneijder," Spain's Javi Martinez said on Wednesday.

"Not only with the national team, but at Bayern as well Robben is very strong on the counter-attack. He moves very well into space and we will have to control him."

Arjen Robben is relaxed ahead of the Cup opener. Source: Getty Images

What about revenge?

Netherlands don't even have time to consider it.

"It's history. It doesn't matter any longer," winger Arjen Robben said, referring to the 2010 defeat in Johannesburg, thanks to Andreas Iniesta's stoppage time winner. "I don't believe in revenge — 2010 was a final, this is a group match. You can't compare it."

But that's not to say the result hasn't haunted the Bayern Munich winger.

Spanish club teammate Javi Martinez said this week: "We have spoken about (Robben's missed opportunities in the 2010 final) it during our two years as teammates.

"It was a big blow for the Netherlands and for him, we have spoken a lot about those chances and Iker's saves.

"I said to him before the Champions League final in 2013 that if he got the chance again he wouldn't fail and he didn't."

Head coach Vicente Del Bosque of Spain has a few decisions to make. Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile, the biggest question mark over Spain is are they a fading force, particularly given Barcelona's campaign? You'd hardly suggest so, with Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid making it to the UEFA Champions League final, and Spain boss Vicente del Bosque scoffs at suggestions his side is past its best as it begins an unprecedented quest to hold back-to-back World Cup and European Cup final trophies.

"These players have made history with the national team," Del Bosque said. "Some were youth champions back in 1999 in Nigeria [Casillas and Xavi]. But this is not a veteran side, it is mature with some younger players. We have only about five who are over 30. So we have no fear of anything like that. We hope we are at the level to defend this star we wear."

While there's a shroud of mystery over Holland's style, we all know what Spain will do. The only conundrum for del Bosque is who to leave out.

Xavi and Iker Casillas - two veterans ready for another title tilt. Source: AFP

Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba will take his place at left-back; Cezar Apilicueta is battling Atletico Madrid's Juanfran for the right-back spot; will Sergio Busquets hold off a late charge from Koke for the midfield fulcrum role and will del Bosque persist with the false No.9 player, like Cesc Fabregas, or unleash Diego Costa, Atletico's brilliant marksman, up front?

There might be the backdrop of 2010, but there's also a mutual respect between these two countries, with Xavi and van Gaal taking turns to gush praise on each other.

"I always find that if you are nice to others they are usually nice to you in return," Van Gaal said. "I have excellent memories of my period in Spain, it was one of the best times of my career. Spanish football may well be the best football in the world at the moment, they have the tactics, the technique and the physical workrate to make them number one, and that's what they are."

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