KHARKHIV, June 16: The statistics do not make pleasant reading for the Netherlands, who must beat Portugal by two goals on Sunday and hope Germany overcome Denmark if they are to reach the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

The omens are similarly ominous. The last time the Oranje were eliminated at the group phase of the European Championship was in 1980, two years after they finished runners-up at the 1978 World Cup — just as they did in 2010.

As if the weight of history was not enough of a burden, there have also been warning signs of another Dutch implosion with winger Arjen Robben stomping off the field and immediately removing his shirt when substituted in the 2-1 defeat by Germany.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has a plethora of attacking options, but so far Premier League top scorer Robin van Persie and understudy Klaas-Jan Huntelaar have found the net only once.

The criticism has been relentless, as befits a nation which was a World Cup finalist only two years ago. And on Sunday, Van Marwijk might well replace Van Persie with Huntelaar at centre-forward.

“We have lost twice,” Van Marwijk said. “So I am going to change some things. I drew a lot of conclusions from our defeat against Germany.”

Portugal have three points after beating Denmark 3-2 and a win would be enough for them, unless the Danes beat Germany by a one-goal margin and score more than two goals in the process. A draw would also do the trick for Paulo Bento’s team if Denmark fail to beat Germany.

Portugal beat the Dutch at both Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup but it was the second match, quickly named the Battle of Nuremberg, which gained notoriety with sixteen yellow cards, equalling the World Cup record, being handed out after a succession of flying tackles, off-the-ball incidents, injury-faking, head butts and a shoving match between the benches.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the only survivor from the Portuguese team that night, when he took a fearful battering from the Dutch defenders.

Ronaldo missed several clear chances against Denmark. And instead of the Real Madrid forward, it was substitute striker Silvestre Varela who scored the winning goal and he predicted another feisty encounter.

“I think it’s going to be another tough game, with both teams needing to win,” he told reporters. “It’s decisive. Our opponents are wounded and will want to come back against us.”—Agencies