| The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth is | | | | against Portugal, and no thanks to Portugal's extremely |
| the venue of the first quarter-final between Brazil and | | | | negative approach to the game, played out a goalless |
| Holland on Friday. | | | | draw. Brazil faced Chile in their round of 16 match. Chile |
| This is a contest between perennial favourites, and | | | | had come through playing with positive flair, and were |
| perennial underachievers. However, under their | | | | expected to put up a fight. In the event, Brazil crushed |
| coach, Dunga, five-time winners, Brazil, are a very | | | | their fellow South Americans in a manner that left no |
| different squad from the ones we have seen in past | | | | doubt as to the potency of this Brazilian squad. |
| World Cups. | | | | Defender Juan, Luis Fabiano and Robinho scored one |
| Holland registered yet another routine win against | | | | each in the 3-0 rout. |
| Slovakia, in the round of 16, after a clean sweep of | | | | Apart from Fabiano, Robinho, Kaka and Elano at the |
| their group E matches, in which they got the better of | | | | top of their game, in Maicon and Michel Bastos, Brazil |
| Denmark, Cameroon and Japan. But in contrast to | | | | have defenders who can hunt with the hounds if |
| the group matches, in which Holland were well short of | | | | needed. The Dutch might go be well advised to opt for |
| the form they displayed in the qualification matches, | | | | a defensive game plan, learning from Portugal. Elano |
| the Slovakia match was a one sided affair, with the | | | | is likely to miss out, owing to injury, but Brazil could get |
| scoreline not revealing the ease with which the | | | | the services of Filipe Melo, recovered from his own |
| Dutchmen played. Arjen Robben returned from injury, | | | | injury. But Ramires' absence owing to suspension is |
| and his presence can be summed up by the post | | | | likely to hurt Brazil. |
| match Slovakian reaction -- they were said to be | | | | Holland's fortunes in this match will hinge on the contest |
| "stunned by his genius". An 18th minute goal by the | | | | between Arjen Robben and. Michel Bastos. Apart |
| Bayern Munich star put the Dutch ahead. They | | | | from the Portugal attack led by Cristiano Ronaldo, |
| favourites Sneijder shut out the match in the 84th | | | | Brazil's full-back Bastos is yet to be stretched at this |
| minute, with a second strike, Slovakia's injury time | | | | World Cup. Another crucial contest will feature Kaka |
| penalty converted by Vattek was poor consolation in | | | | dn Bronckhorst. Bronckhort's 35 years could weigh |
| a game that was never in their grasp. | | | | heavily on his feet as he takes on Kaka's pace and |
| Holland have been good in patches. They have not | | | | guile. |
| been nearly as creative as expected, and that could | | | | The Dutch are likely to go with Robben after his |
| be attributed, among other reasons, to the timing of the | | | | showing against Slovakia, although he is yet to recover |
| tournament, coming as it does at the end of the club | | | | fully from injury. Khalid Boulahrouz could replace Van |
| season, when most players are spent, or nursing | | | | der Wiel, as Holland might want experience to |
| niggling injuries. | | | | counter Robinho. Boulahrouz also gives the Dutch an |
| Can the Dutch defence hold up to a strong attack like | | | | attacking option. Kuyt could be left winger with Robben |
| Brazil's? Skipper Bronckhorst on the wrong side of | | | | on the right flank. |
| thirty might find the going a little too fast for comfort | | | | For Brazil Nilmar could man the right wing, to counter |
| against Kaka and Robinho. The Dutch will rely heavily | | | | the Dutch attack. Alves and Robinho could change |
| on midfield protection to the back four from Mark van | | | | positions, to give greater protective cover to Bastos in |
| Bommel and Nigel De Jong. On the other side, every | | | | the face of Robben's threat. |
| rival defender should dread the prospect of facing up | | | | Kleberson could get a look in, in Ramires' absence, to |
| to the Dutch attack spearheaded by Wesley Snejder | | | | accompany Gilberto in midfield. Robinho and Kaka will |
| and Arjen Robben. | | | | adjust their positions according to the situation. Luis |
| Brazil cruised through their group matches, barring brief | | | | Fabiano will be the Brazil spearhead, and will look to |
| moments of discomfort against North Korea, a match | | | | strengthen his claim on the Golden Boot award. |
| they eventually won convincingly. The Samba boys | | | | Both are evenly matched teams that play with flair |
| came into their own against Ivory Coast, and literally | | | | and will make for a great contest. Hard to choose a |
| toyed with the African side's defence, in a 3-1 shut out. | | | | winner, but I will plump for Brazil. |
| They rested their main players for their third match | | | | |