[Note: We’re setting this up as a liveblog, but we’ll probably be too focused on the game to actually do so. So we’ll treat this one as an open thread. We’ll be throwing up some in-game comments–please do the same!]
Doesn’t it feel like a whole new, more compressed and more intense tournament starts today? Eight teams remaining, seven games to go (well, eight if you count the 3rd place game–but who really does?), beginning with four quarterfinal matchups–two today (Brazil vs Netherlands followed by Uruguay vs Ghana) and two tomorrow (Argentina vs Germany followed by Spain vs Paraguay).
The first of these may just be the most highly anticipated: Brazil vs Netherlands. What to say about this match? Obviously, this might just be a true classic.
Brazil has emerged as the clear favorite to win the tournament (yet again–this would be their sixth World Cup!), while the Netherlands are one of only two teams that have won all 4 of their games (Argentina being the other). Both teams on long unbeaten streaks (NED 23, BRA 11), and both are quite capable of stylish play. Remarkably, in something of role reversal, this edition of the Seleção Brasileira features more of team concept, while the Oranje as a group have perhaps a little more flair.
Brazil is heavily favored to win–it will be a shocker if Holland can pull off the upset, but if anyone is going to beat Brazil in this tournament, the Dutch have a good a chance as anybody left in the tournament. As Dutch footballing legend Ruud Gullit just said on ESPN, if the Dutch can win this game, he believes they’ll have the confidence to win the whole thing–the big trophy that’s lacking from the rich (but frustrating) history of Dutch football.
The Dutch have the hard guys in the midfield (van Bommel, de Jong, Kuyt tracking back) to put the hurt on Kaka et al, and Brazil may be very thin in the midfield today: Ramires is out due to yellow cards, Elano is out due to an ankle injury, and both Felipe Melo and Juan Baptista are doubtful, also due to injuries. The Dutch midfield has been playing well, doing its job in maintaining possession when the Dutch have the ball, regaining it with a high workrate and hard tackling when they don’t. van Bommel, de Jong, Sneijder and Kuyt could end up giving a undermanned Brazil trouble in midfield, where games are won or lost..advantage Holland?
On attack, the Dutch attack have as much talent as anybody. Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, and Wesley Sneijder of course–though perhaps we’ll see the petulant van Persie pulled in favor of one the hungry speedy cocky Dutch yougsters–Ibrahim Affelay or especially Eljero Elia–as he was in the Round of 16 match against Slovakia. Or will Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk take a risk and sacrifice either van Bommel or de Jong, or even, heaven-forbid, Kuyt, in favor of the much more dangerous Elia? Probably not. In any case, watching some subset of all these speedy and technically gifted Dutch guys going up against Brazil’s iron defense–Lucio, Maicon, Juan, Michel Bastos–will be a treat to watch. Robben in particular is as dynamic and dangerous in attack as anybody these days, and he seems to be getting stronger with each game, with relatively fresh legs after sitting out the first two group games due to a hamstring injury.
Specifically, the Oranje attack may look to work the seam between Brazilian left back Michel Bastos and whoever plays inside him (Kleberson?), with right winger Robben running at Bastos–particularly if Bastos gets caught up front in attack, as Brazilian backs are wont to do (though Baston less so than right back Maicon, and these Brazilian backs less so than in the past, playing as they do under the disciplined iron fist of Dunga). Let’s see if Robben can work that seam, and find the opportunity to make his patented cut into the center of the field from the right wing. Sneijder will be in that space also. If the Dutch are to score (Brazil has given up only two relatively meaningless goals in this tournament–one to North Korea and one to Ivory Coast, in both cases after Brazil had established a commanding lead), that could very well be where their goal comes from.
But it seems like where Brazil wins is with their attack against the Dutch defense. Who are those guys the Dutch have in the back? Dutch captain Giovanni van Brockhurst has seemingly been in his left back position forever, and although he and his mates (van der Wiel, Heitinga, and Mathijsen) are all quality players, how are they going to keep up with Fabiano, Robinho, whoever else-o Brazil will throw at them, with Kaka orchestrating the attack out of the midfield? Particularly if they give up the sort of chances they allowed the Slovaks in the 2nd half of their Round of 16 game–although the Slovaks failed to convert (at least until a late PK), you can be sure the Brazilians will not.
The question is, will either manager commit from the start to relentless attack to make that classic? Could we be treated to van Bronckhorst and Maicon passing each other by for 90 minutes? Probably not. The price to pay from the press, fans, and management for taking such a risk is much too high for Dunga or van Marwijk to take that approach. Look for both sides to be playing conservatively, maintaining possession and looking for rare opportunities to attach and get a precious goal. Don’t be surprised if, despite all the offensive firepower that will be on the field, the game ends 1-0, 1-1, or even 0-0, and may even end in PKs.
We are just 30 minutes from kickoff–starting lineups and the ever-present and beckoning comment box below!
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Starting lineups:
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Dani Alves, Felipe Melo, Silva, Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano (Subs: Gomes, Luisao, Thiago Silva, Gilberto, Josue, Julio Baptista, Kleberson, Nilmar, Grafite, Doni)
Netherlands: Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, De Jong, Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt, van Persie.
Subs: Vorm, Boulahrouz, Ooijer, De Zeeuw, Braafheid, Elia, Schaars, Babel, Afellay, Huntelaar, Van der Vaart, Boschker.
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51 comments
amy
July 2, 2010 at 9:56 AM
loving the new anti-racism decree!
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 9:56 AM
Mathiejsen out injured in warmup. Ooijer in.
amy
July 2, 2010 at 10:01 AM
it’s all good…..holland got this yo!
June
July 2, 2010 at 10:04 AM
it’s weird to see brazil in blue, im so used to them in yellow!
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 10:11 AM
well that was easy.
amy
July 2, 2010 at 10:12 AM
wow! too easy! defensive breakdown and a half! get it together orange!
Suman
July 2, 2010 at 10:13 AM
yes, that was way too easy..how did the marking break down like that??
Suman
July 2, 2010 at 10:18 AM
maybe the Dutch are thinking about the 1998 semifinal match v Brazil? A 1st half goal conceded to the Brazilians (off a through ball breakaway even), but the Dutch hung in and eventually managed to equalize..
http://cultfootball.com/2010/07/brilliant-orange-a-brief-history-of-dutch-football/
Suman
July 2, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Looks like Brazil is winning the possession battle in the midfield…the Dutch are going in hard, but the Brazilians seem to be one step ahead of them, and have the ball on a string..
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 10:32 AM
3v6 counterattacks not going to get it done. Little surprised Dutch aren’t considering a change.
Suman
July 2, 2010 at 10:33 AM
@Larry: you think we will we see Elia in the 1st half? Maybe that sacrifice of van Bommel or de Jong that you alluded to?
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 10:37 AM
Field is terrible. Criminal that they can’t have a good surface for these 2 teams.
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 10:40 AM
That looks very unlikely given nobody up. They need to find a way to control Robinho. In unrelated note, weird to have 2 announcers again. SA does it old-fashioned way, single in booth.
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 10:41 AM
Lots of flopping and chipping going on. Ref is in danger of losing this. Needs to calm things down. Not pretty to watch.
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 10:43 AM
I am quickly losing respect for Fabiano . . . just freakin’ play!!!
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 10:46 AM
At least Brazil figured out Robben has no right foot.
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 10:47 AM
What the hell Robben – gift wrapped at the 18 . . . even with your awesome left foot. What else do you need????
Suman
July 2, 2010 at 10:50 AM
wow Maicon is amazing..that shot off the overlap could have been the 2nd. let’s see if the Dutch can regroup at half..and if van Marwik decides to take a gamble with a change in the lineup.
amy
July 2, 2010 at 11:01 AM
for real robben! and damn, you DO have a right! it was wide open for you!!! on a note about elia, i say take out van percy…….he’s not doing anything and he’s on a high horse anyway! if you think you’re so great, your actions should be proving so! lol
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 11:02 AM
They have to sacrifice either of de Jong or van Bommel as both have been crap. van Persie virtually invisible. I’d have to consier all of van der Vaart, Huntelaar, and Elia.
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 11:05 AM
aren’t yellows wiped out after the quarters, or is that after the semis?
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 11:07 AM
AFTER the match. So they have to make it through this game without accumulating the 2nd one. Oh, and Sniejder hasn’t been close yet.
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 11:10 AM
guess i spoke too soon.
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 11:11 AM
another bad clearance by the keeper.
amy
July 2, 2010 at 11:12 AM
very true larry…..but now the tables are turned for sure so let’s see what happens!!!
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Dutch midfielders look tired/lazy. Amy, I agree – van Persie needs to put up or shut up while also trying to find a higher work ethic (e.g. Robben – albeit with more confidence in his right foot). Larry, I also agree, but I would not consider losing de Jong or von Bommel a sacrifice for the moment. I think bringing in Elia and van der Vaart for the second half would be advantageous. Overall, the Dutch midfield looks disorganized and tired and is exhibiting remarkable difficulty possessing the ball for any considerable amount of time. As for Brazil . . . is it unfair to just be better than everyone else?!? Oh crap – game on!!!
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Observations so far.
Field is still crap.
As are the Dutch today. Ugly. Classic uni’s though.
Brazil letting the Dutch pull them into the ugly game.
Julio Cesar can’t play in the air.
Too much bitching. Just play. Kaka a notable exception.
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!Gol!!
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 11:25 AM
that was a nice goal
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 11:31 AM
How stupid was Melo? Stupid.
amy
July 2, 2010 at 11:31 AM
goooooddddbbbyyyyeeeee brazil!!! your character is reflecting your coach!!! and you are decomposing from inside out! hahahaha! goooooooo flying dutch! score more and add insult to injury!!!!!!
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 11:33 AM
What is happening to Brazil?? Perhaps Pele had something in his recent criticisms of the team. . .
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 11:33 AM
Time to substitute for the Dutch
eggblogg
July 2, 2010 at 11:34 AM
this is getting really ugly! Defense mechanism for Brazil cuz that’s how they roll.
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 11:37 AM
I’ll disagree. It was the Dutch that made this an ugly/chippy game — by design. Brazil was undisciplined (and Melo stupid) for letting themselves get pulled into it.
amy
July 2, 2010 at 11:38 AM
van percie…….get him out!
amy
July 2, 2010 at 11:38 AM
tommy, if you look at this half, who’s had the greater possession?
amy
July 2, 2010 at 11:40 AM
the brazilians have done nothing but hack and defend……yea, the dutch aren’t playing their game today but the brazilians are DEF not playing theirs on ALL levels! but the character, or there lack of is a huge disappointment on their behalf!
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 11:42 AM
i think the condition of the pitch is playing into it. Tommy’s right, it is all torn up, plus it is looking very heavy and slow.
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Bring in Elia to press the Brazilian defense!!
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 11:44 AM
I’m seeing the game differently. I’m seeing the Dutch initiating the hacking and grabbing, disrupting all flow. Obviously a successful tactic, but as a fan of the Dutch and really looking forward to seeing a match of 2 wonderful styles, I’m very much disappointed.
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Gock, agreed. Pretty sure Kuyt scores on that breakaway about 0 times out of 100.
eggblogg
July 2, 2010 at 11:48 AM
Pass the Dutchie ‘pon the left hand side!
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 11:50 AM
FREAKIN’ LAZY!!!!
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Interesting. Brazil jersey, Israel flag.
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Put the damn game away!!!
Ligocki
July 2, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Suck it, Dunga!!
Tommy
July 2, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Congratulations Nederlands. Shucked a bit of history there.
Larry
July 2, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Man getting to see the Dutch fans in Cape Town would just be so outstanding. They will carpet the downtown.
amy
July 2, 2010 at 11:54 AM
hahaha!! suck it dunga!!!! hahaha!!! yes congrats to the dutch! go home brazil and regroup for 2014!!! i called a 2-1 win for holland since last nite! i should have placed money on it! haha!
Comments are closed.