Portuguese must hold Holland this time

Many of those entering this particular Low Country yesterday did so in a state of high anxiety. Thunder and lightning, warnings of serious turbulence from pilots and white knuckle grips from cabin staff combined with fierce rain to leave a most inhospitable impression.

Those arriving from warm Portugal may have comforted themselves with the thought that at least the Amsterdam Arena would have its roof on, but more fool them, this potentially classic World Cup qualifier is being played in the arena considered Dutch football's spiritual home - Feyenoord's stadium in Rotterdam.

In front of a passionate crowd in an intimidating venue, the Netherlands know that tonight's Group Two match could prove to be a telling encounter come next autumn. Feyenoord's ground, De Kuip, translates as "The Tub" and four months after the Euro 2000 final it stages a game between the two conquered semi-finalists - though not many would have complained about a Holland v Portugal final. Thus the Portuguese have come here late and they will not be wanting it to turn into a washout.

But they are under pressure. After the 1-1 home draw with the Republic on Saturday night, Portugal may be two points ahead of the Irish but defeat tonight would leave them having taken only one point from a possible six in this current double-header phase. Moreover, Luis Oliveira's side would have ceded possibly crucial advantages to their principal rivals.

It is why Oliveira declared yesterday that Portugal "need some inspiration. We are capable of beating anybody anywhere and we are going for a win. But we will need to be patient".

Patient inspiration is an admirably perplexing concept and in the figure of Luis Figo, Oliveira perhaps has the personification of the notion. Figo, though, has not hit top form since his controversial £37 million sterling move from Barcelona to Real Madrid in the summer, and, a few moments aside, he was not the mesmerising force he can be on Saturday in the Stadium of Light.

On Monday Figo gave an interview to the Spanish sports daily Marca in which he admitted that the hate campaign being waged against him by the Barcelona press may be affecting his performances. "My football lacks spark," said Figo, "the spark that I need to reach the level I am aiming for."

Maybe the electric weather here will re-ignite the fuse. Or the presence of Pedro Pauleta, likely to replace reluctant striker Sa Pinto from the start as he did midway through the second half in Lisbon.

Or maybe it will be the return to the scene of Euro 2000 and the sight of so many of his former Oranje colleagues from Barcelona, not to mention his former manager in Catalonia, Louis van Gaal. If Figo starts on the left as he did against Ireland, then Michael Reizeger, one of seven Dutch players from the 4-0 away win in Cyprus at the weekend to have a Barcelona connection, will face his one-time team-mate.

Reizeger may be boosted in the task by Chelsea's rangy young right back Mario Melchiot. Melchiot was called into the squad as a replacement for the injured Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen and there were further injuries for Van Gaal to deal with yesterday. Again they involved Ibrox personnel, this time Ronald de Boer and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who is having an excellent season. Van Gaal said both players were "very doubtful" to face Portugal.

Even had both men featured it is still probable that Van Gaal would have had to negotiate room in his midfield line-up for Clarence Seedoorf. Seedoorf, once of Real Madrid, now with Robbie Keane at managerless Inter Milan, was a substitute in Nicosia on Saturday and did not make an appearance there until the hour mark.

At that stage the score was 0-0 and the Dutch were frustrated by their failure to break down a poor Cyprus defence. Jeffrey Talan made way.

Nine minutes later Seedoorf made it 1-0 with a beautiful freekick and nine minutes after that he struck again. Cyprus were broken, Marc Overmars added a third and Patrick Kluivert got the fourth in time added on.

Holland had begun to flow then and display the kind of style that Oliveira said yesterday "makes them as good as France or Italy or any team in Europe when they want to be. I love, and fear, their one-touch football, their technique and intelligence."

But the Dutch public was not deceived by the comprehensive nature of the Nicosia scoreline. The local media has focused on the period of play until the introduction of Seedoorf and also on the point gained by the Irish in Lisbon. "Holland Helpt Oranje" was one headline concerning Matthew of Ipswich Town and his amazing strike. It is felt the Oranje needed the help.

Only after what should be a compelling evening will we know. Figo thinks with the Netherlands at home the more open game should suit Portugal's swift counter-attacking. But then Figo's direct replacement at Barcelona, Overmars, will not want to be overshadowed.

As Mick McCarthy said on Monday, with the group at its embryonic stage it is almost too early to say what result would help the Irish most. Although the Republic lie fifth of six in the group, tangible proof of the success of their two outings to date should come from two sides with points to prove, and win. The pressure is on. We shall just have to sit back and watch the sparks and the storm.