Van Marwijk defends Robben

Holland coach Bert van Marwijk has jumped to the defence of Arjen Robben over claims that the winger is a diver.

Robben has come under-fire from some quarters for his conduct on the field after being accused by a number of Brazil players of diving during the quarter-final win last Friday.

The 26-year-old has been accused of going to ground too readily throughout his career, but van Marwijk insists Robben is not a cheat and that he has cleaned up his act in recent years.

"I don't think he does this deliberately, but he is a player who is incredibly fast and creative,"said van Marwijk.

"Very often he faces an opponent and he may fall or get pushed, maybe it happened in the past, when he maybe could have avoided it, but I think he has learned from this and doesn't do it anymore."

Focus

Van Marwijk is refusing to look too far forward as he prepares his side for Tuesday's semi-final with Uruguay.

The Dutch are heavy favourites to reach this Sunday's final, but van Marwijk is refusing to take anything for granted.

"I really don't want to talk about the final,"added van Marwijk."I have been hearing this talk much too often, first we have to play a semi-final.

"I have immense respect for what players in the past have achieved for the Netherlands, but I didn't come to this tournament to wring my hands at reaching the final. That isn't enough, we have come here to win the final.

"We have come here for the ultimate prize, that is our goal and we will only enjoy this tournament if we win it."

Van Marwijk is wary of the threat posed by Uruguay, describing Oscar Tabarez's side as a"dangerous team."

"They are a very dangerous team,"noted van Marwijk.

"At the start of the tournament, I used them as example of a passionate side and it is not for nothing that they have come this far."

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