Thursday, July 1, 2010

Preview: Netherlands vs. Brazil, Quarterfinal

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KICKOFF
4pm local time, 10am US eastern


THE BIG PICTURE

Now this is a World Cup quarter-final. Two of the best teams in the world finally facing each other, and only one going through. Even Brazil coach Dunga is excited: “We expect it to be very open,” said Dunga. “At this knock-out stage we can’t expect a closed, defensive encounter. From now on each game is a World Cup Final. All the players are first class, I expect a beautiful game against the Dutch.”

Not sure I 100% agree with Dunga there, as both teams have looked very solid defensively so far, and both teams will line up 4-2-3-1. The Dutch defensive names may not be as familiar as Brazilian counterparts like Lucio and Maicon, but just two goals conceded in four games speaks for itself. What the two teams have in common is a torch-under-your-chin scary level of talent going forward. Netherlands possess Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, and Arjen “don’t let him shoot with his left!” Robben, while Brazil boast Kaka, Robinho, and Luis “the handball rule doesn’t apply to me” Fabiano. Bring it on.

For more in depth and knowledgeable previews, I highly recommend reading Jan at the Netherlands blog, and Duvel at the Brazil blog.

WHAT’S AT STAKE
Obviously, a place in the World Cup semi-finals is at stake. Who wouldn’t want one of those? Whoever makes the semi-final will face either Uruguay or Ghana, arguably two of the weaker teams left in the tournament.

I’d also argue that both these teams have so far semi-coasted through the World Cup, and are yet to face a genuine threat. So both teams are each other’s first serious opposition. Whichever team emerges victorious from this game will likely have people talking about them as World Cup favourites, at least until we have a winner from the Germany vs Argentina game.

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