Netherlands-Brazil Quarterfinal Review

Saturday, 03 July 2010 10:20

They are out

QF Netherlands-Brazil 2-1

As the cliché goes, it was a game of two halves.

Indeed, Holland is a fine team but which had not been fully tested or displayed a certain lack of interest throughout the earlier games. It was probably a combination of both plus the confidence in their own ability that allowed them to have that demeanour even as they went about winning all the matches with just enough effort that was par for the course.

Brazil also did the same, but this team exhibited a different attitude. An attitude of determination & even patience – which most surprisingly had to be summoned against North Korea. Against Chile, they even displayed a tactical & positioning acumen that would hurt teams which left behind defensive blunders while attacking the Brazil goals. Even as the style of play was being criticised, the exhibition on the pitch gave an unseasoned eye the impression that this was a strong team ready for July 11. The games against North Korea and Portugal had fanned the fire of coach Dunga’s critics further & the tactical and technical qualities of this team had been red-flagged by experts. In Europe, fans had been turned off by what was appearing to be an overconfident team behaving as if it had already reached the final.

First half, all fine

Brazil did not take long in opening the account with a smooth finish that was disallowed by the linesman. However, in a few minutes Robinho - predicted by Brazilian President Lula as the man of the tournament - returned with a another fine effort, the smoothness of which had the stamp of Brazilian rhythm. The off-the-ball positioning was on display here with Fabiano making enticing the defender away, opening up the door for Robinho to enter the Dutch den from the left of the Brazil midfield.  

The game picked up seriousness & intent in the 29^th when Fabiano wasted a free header. The counter by the Dutch was swift but Arjen Robben botched the move, preferring to go for glory instead of seeking out a free orange jersey.

The ball moved quickly towards the Dutch goal again, from the left flank, with the Brazilian flair on display, Robinho put the ball to Fabiano who sought Kaka, who created space & unleashed a sweet curler that was miraculously palmed away by Stekelenburg. It was to be the key moment of the match.

Netherlands wasted two more great moves in the half, and everyone went into half-time feeling that Brazil was on its way.

Lack of intent

Van Persie continued to be obnoxious as far as kicking the ball towards the goal is considered. Arjen Robben showed lack of intent to involve others even as the sight of three Brazil players swarming around him was not uncommon. In several moves, the front of the Brazil goal would be barren of orange even as the man on the flanks looked up for one to put the ball across. It all added up for any observer to say that Holland did not have the heart left & the problems in the team would be out on the field in the second half.

Brazil asleep

A Globo TV commentator in Brazil tweeted that the streets of Sao Paolo were deserted. In the second half, it could have meant that Brazil was asleep.

Brazil came out a strange team. The Netherlands that looked down & out was allowed back into the game. The Dutch used not just football skills but also a lot of cunning to fool Brazil out of the game. Two goals came from the right side of the field. The first moved started off a free-kick which was earned via savvy diving simulation by Arjen Robben. Schneider simply curled the ball in with the left foot right into the crowd standing right in front of highly-rated Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

It could have been called a menacing delivery but for the usual absence of any Dutch player in the muddle, to head it home. Instead, there were a few Brazil players and Cesar joined in needlessly to punch it away, never reached the ball which skidded off Felipe Melo’s head into the net!  

The next was a corner taken again from Cesar’s left. It was again a harmless delivery, lacking height, pace & distance but the tireless Kuyt was unmarked. He let the ball skid off his head behind him in front of goal & Schneider who never expects himself to score off this head, helped the ball in - all unmarked. The lack of defense reminded one of Kluivert’s 87^th minute goal in the 1998 Netherlands-Brazil match. The defense just stood watching.

Story is something else

It was not so simply just about the game. It was hugely about gamesmanship. Holland played a cunning game that threatens to spoil the thread of football but is widely accepted as ‘professional’. It was surprising how van Bommel escaped a card through the game.

Oscar performance

Arjen Robben’s histrionics accentuated any physical contact that would be easily endured by any amateur weekend player. He was so successful that Dunga had to substitute left full-back Michel Bastos in the 62^nd as he had received a yellow & the situation was ready to explode into a red. Having to fiddle with the defense line is hated by coaches. Tempers were soaring in the Brazil camp as Holland continued with the tactics in a trained manner. It finally took toll on Felipe Melo who trampled in an uncivilised manner on who else but Arjen Robben.

Statistics show that both teams had same number of fouls – 19. But the Netherlands certainly pulled a fast one on the South Americans on this one. Incidentally, the South American nations are the ones which are considered to be the masters of gamesmanship.

Felipe Melo had a bizarre game. He fetches out Robinho for the goal with an exquisite defense-splitter. Then he had an own goal against his name. Then he had a red card.

Of course, Brazil had to blame itself for getting just 4 shots on target out of 15, a few more than Holland managed. Brazil also did not utilise 8 corners. The patience that was on display when Brazil started off its campaign against North Korea deserted Brazil against the first really strong opponent it met, ending its campaign at South Africa 2010.