DUTCH ENJOY A TREAT OUSTING FAVORITE BRAZIL 2-1
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 Jul 2010
When Brazil, FIFA?s top seeds in the 2010 World Cup took an early lead through a classic but cool finish by Robinho, there were indications the form chart would prevail.
But the Brazilans didn?t reckon with the fighting hearts of the Dutch who slowly began to control the tempo of the match in the second half to stun the favorites with a 2-1 classic at Port Elizabeth and clinch a place in the semi finals where they will play the winners of Ghana vs Uruguay.
A terrible and unexpected defensive blunder by Brazil which leveled the score with an own goal suddenly exposed the impenetrable ring of steel around their goal as the Dutch grew in confidence with Arjen Robben a persistent danger on the right flank and testing the resolve of the Brazilian defenders who fouled him once too often
A classic header by Wesley Sneijder gave the Orangemen the lead and they never really looked like relinquishing it as they defended resolutely and even had a couple of chances of adding to their tally.
The frustration of the Brazilians in trying to contain Robben whose speed and uncanny ability to get around his defenders ultimately took its toll when Felipe Melo was shown a straight red by Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura for stomping on Robben after bringing him down with some 17 minutes remaining in the match.
Down to ten men Brazil put nine men forward in a desperate attempt to score an equalizer but in a thrilling endgame the Netherlands defense held even though they had some tense moments.
Even before the kickoff the Dutch were in trouble when solid Joris Mathijsen was injured in the warm- up and had to be replaced by Andre Ooijer who with center-back John Heitinga left a gaping hole in defense that enabled Robinho to pick on a pass by Melo down the middle to easily slot home.
However, the tension began to take its tool on Robinho later in the game as he showed his ill-tempered ways more than once.
After the early goal stung the Dutch, coach Bert van Marwijk?s team tried to respond and Liverpool?s Dirk Kuyt forced a save from Julio Cesar at the near post.
BBC Sport reported that other than that chance - and a blasted Sneijder free-kick that Julio Cesar also dealt with comfortably - the Netherlands were unable to open up Brazil, who were superbly marshaled at the back by Juan.
Dunga's side were not exactly in full-flow going forward themselves but they would still have been out of sight at half-time had it not been for Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Stekelenburg brilliantly tipped over Kaka's curling shot after a neat move down the left involving Robinho and Luis Fabiano and also got a hand to Maicon's fierce shot after Dani Alves sent him forward on the overlap down the opposite flank.
It seemed Brazil were still in full control but that all changed after the interval when they gifted the Dutch an equalizer that completely changed the course of the game.
BBC Sport reported that Sneijder whipped in a cross from the right after a quick free-kick and Julio Cesar, in trying to punch clear, only succeeded in colliding with Felipe Melo and the ball flicked off his team-mate's head and flew into the net.
Brazil took time to regain their composure but they remained a threat and Kaka came within inches of restoring their lead when he clipped the ball wide after latching on to Ooijer's clumsy clearance.
The Dutch, however, sensed a weakness at the heart of the South Americans' defence and they took full advantage after 68 minutes when another cross caused chaos in the Brazil back-line.
Kuyt flicked on Robben's corner at the near post and Sneijder headed in, sending the army of Oranje fans at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium wild with elation
From being well on top, Dunga's side were now chasing the game and their hopes of rescuing their World Cup were dealt a huge blow when Felipe Melo inexplicably stamped on Robben after conceding a free-kick five minutes later.
Despite being a man down, the five-time champions had no choice but to throw men forward, and left huge gaps at the back in the final few minutes.
The closest Brazil came to saving themselves were a succession of Maicon corners, from one of which Lucio had a goalbound shot deflected wide.
But the Netherlands had several chances to add a third goal in final few minutes too, with Sneijder having a shot saved and Klass Jan Huntelaar hesitating when he had the simple task of teeing up Dirk Kuyt from six yards out.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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