Desperate Dutch still have a shot

The Netherlands is ready to gamble that it can beat Portugal by two goals and keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet in their last group match at the European Championship today.

Needing a German victory over Denmark to have even a glimmer of hope of advancing, Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk made it clear on the eve of the decisive Group B match that caution has little use at this stage.

With his team needing to win by at least a two-goal margin, Van Marwijk said: “Our way of playing will be totally based on that.”

Van Marwijk is expected to pair top strikers Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Robin van Persie in attack. At the same time, he must find a way of keeping Portugal’s forwards at bay.

As the Dutch coach readily admitted: “We are clutching at our last straw.

“A draw should be enough for them. And they have Ronaldo and Nani — and nine other players.”