As it turns out this was the second most exciting game of the day, you'd think knocking Brazil out of the World Cup (and probably costing Dunga his job) should be the story of the day, instead, it sits behind the ending of Africa's participation this World Cup.
This was far from a classic game, it got scrappier as it went on, it was untidy, lacked rhythm and had no real flow throughout. There were glimpses of it in a first half that had the Netherlands looking shaky and out of their depth. Huge holes were appearing down the middle of the park, the defence weren't looking like a unit and struggling to deal with the running of Robinho from the left. Kaka was showing glimpses of the player we know he can be, Robinho still doesn't look the same player without Elano on the pitch. It only took 10 minutes for the Brazilians to make the breakthrough with a ball straight down the middle of the pitch from Melo, that must have traveled 20 yards and Robinho latches onto it with a first time shot. the keeper has no chance and the Dutch look stunned.Robben was tracking Robinho but was nowhere near him when he scored, but the defence couldn't be found, a simple goal and no more than Brazil deserved at that point.
For the remainder of the first half, Brazil look too much for Holland, Maicon is rampant down the right hand side, and defensively Brazil look tight,compact and together. There a few glimpses of promise from Holland, but Brazil deal with them all comfortably, Robben is looking slightly off the pace and his penchant for cutting inside onto his left foot seems has made him a little predictable. Sneijder has played some delightful balls from the midfield, one to Van Persie that must travel 50 yard which is inch perfect, he really is a wonderful player. Kuyt is hi usual self and full of running, Van Persie seems to be struggling to get in the game, but playing up on his own wth no support is making life easy for Lucio and co. The first half belonged to Brazil and Holland would have been happy to be just one goal down. There were glimpses of Sneijder, Robben and Van Persie, but really there was just one team in it.
It's amazing that apart from a blip against the Koreans, Brazil, the worlds entertainers have been
teaching everyone how to defend. Melo and Silva never seem more than 15 yards away from each other and protect that back four as if their families lives depended on it. the second half starts and Holland certainly seem a little brighter and intent on brining Van Persie into the game more and offering him more support, Robben is causing Bastos all kinds of trouble and is halted by him a few times, once or twice just mistimed, others cynical, and he's lucky to stay on the field before sensibly being substituted. The first Holland goal comes from one of his challenges on Robben outwide. The ball is worked back to Sneijder who puts in a good, but speculative cross, Julio Cesar is nowhere near it as he tries to punch, the ball glances of Melo's head and into the net. It's all square and Brazil seem shocked at what just happened. This it turn out was the beginning of the end for Brazil. Holland who had struggled with finding each other in the first half were suddenyl winning the 50/50 challenges and seemed to have the extra man. Which turned into a reality just after the Netherlands scored their second goal. Coming up to the 70 minute mark, Holland have a corner which Robben whips in and the irrepressible Kuyt flicks on at the near post after darting in front of Fabiano. The ball sails in to the six yard box where Sneijder is unmarked and heads into the net with the Brazilian defence statuesque.
Suddenly, 20 minutes to go and Brazil trail in a game for the first time in this tournament, is this when we'd see their true credentials? No, instead we see a collapse of discipline, passing and morale. Felipe Melo inexplicably gets himself sent off - the first player in WC history to score an own goal and recieve a red card - it's a straight red from the ref. At first it seems harsh, a late tackle on Robben for sure, but on replay, after the challenge he stamps on the wingers thigh. There is no other choice, it was rash, it was dangerous and it was cynical. Brazil a goal and a man down with just over 15 minutes to play. The game after this descended into a petty game, drawing fouls, a lot of players on the floor, all of which suited Holland as they let time waste away and deny Brazil the chance to get any kind of momentum going. Robinho who had been in fine form in the first half was anonymous in the second, Fabiano was lost up front and Kaka was trying but there was no one with him, handling him became easy for Van Bommel and De Jong between them. How Van Bommel avoided a booking I'll never know, he made 5, 6 challenges that could've warranted one. It was an amazing victory for the men in orange and deseved in the end. Brazil were the better side throughout the first half, but once Julio Cesar made the horrendous blunder for Hollands first, Brazil looked shaken. And for the first time in this tournament they looked defensively shakey. In the end Holland were good value for their win, and Dunga must be going home thinking his time is up. the press weren't keen on him before the tournament, they'll be baying for blood now, maybe he should give Capello a call...
Holland were a curious side today. Van Bommel and De Jong, once they got themselves together Holland looked like a different side, their compatibility allowed Sneijder far more freedom to roam higher up the pitch and create chances, find players and link with Van Persie. Robben saw a lot more of the ball and created all kinds of problems. He had Bastos turned throughout the second half. He's a curious player Robben, his was the foul that lead to the first Dutch goal, but his insistence on cutting inside is slightly predictable and sometimes you just want him to go past the man and play the ball into the box. He doesn't do that, a few times it would have created chances with Kuyt and Van Persie in the 18 yard box, it would also leave the defenders guessing a little more as to his next move. Yet his movement created space and some of his interplay with Sneijder was superb. There is more to come from the Dutch, and Uruguay in the last 4 must seem an inviting tie after beating the favourites. They deserved their victory and maybe Sneijder can add another medal to the three he picked up this season with Inter? Would you bet against him for player of the year if that plays out? Hup Holland Hup.
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