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Samba Boys hope to quell Dutch attack
A city that didn't have a football stadium till the World Cup came along and may not have a team after it goes, will host one of the competition's most anticipated matches on Friday. Brief match analysis
A city that didn't have a football stadium till the World Cup came along and may not have a team after it goes, will host one of the competition's most anticipated matches on Friday. Close Watch
Three of the last Brazil-Holland ties have produced World Cup finalists. Perceived as a poor cousin of Johannesburg and Cape Town when it comes to staging major international events, here's a chance for this Eastern Cape town to be part of World Cup trivia along with Marseille (1998), Dallas (1994) and Dortmund (1974).
With reports of Bay United seeking new owners, Port Elizabeth may not have much of a future even in the South African Premier Soccer League but it knows which way the world will be looking when two of international football's most sophisticated teams meet. Brazil and Holland in full bloom at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium should be the tie of the 2010 finals so far.
“It's a game everyone wants to see, every player wants to play," said Kaka, Brazil's playmaker. Johan Cruyff may not like this Dutch team but even his Total Football wizards weren't unbeaten for 23 matches. Socrates and 1970 Brazil skipper Carlos Alberto Perreira may continue to pan this Brazil team for lack of style but they've lit up Christ The Redeemer's statue in Rio to show solidarity with Dunga's boys.
Dunga and Bert van Marwijk will be on opposite sides but they are on the same page when it comes to putting winning over making a good impression.
“We are here for one reason, to get the big prize. We simply want to win and I don't think we are doing such a bad job. You have to show real mentality, a constant focus. I think we are showing that.” That's Van Marwijk for you though it could easily have been Dunga.
Having insisted on the importance of not being too “big-headed”, Van Marwijk's also moved in swiftly to “draw the line” on the Robin van Persie-Wesley Sneijder controversy. Proof of Van Marwijk's man-management skills will lie in the playing but Sneijder too sought to present a united front.
Both teams combine attacking flair with defensive solidity and seek to hit on the break. They have conceded two goals in four games and while Brazil have scored eight, Holland are only marginally behind with seven. "I reckon the teams are just as good as each other right now," said former Holland international Roy Makaay.
With Arjen Robben, Dirk Kuyt and Rafael van der Vaart and the precocious Eljero Elia available, Brazil's fullbacks Maicon and Michel Bastos may have to curb their natural tendency to move up.
Injuries to Elano and Felipe Melo and the suspension on Ramires though means Dunga's midfield quartet will again have a new look. Kaka and Gilberto Silva are likely to start but it will have to be seen whom he chooses among Kleberson, Josue, Juilo Baptista and Dani Alves. Dunga could also re-jig his line-up, getting Robinho to fall back and Nilmar start with Luis Fabiano.
“We are fortunate to have players who can interchange,” Dunga said. “The quality of our players allows me to be calm.” Not prone to superlatives, the Cup's youngest manager standing is being plain honest when he says that.
