Match 57 (QF) - Netherlands v Brasil - Pre-Match Thread

Re: Match 58 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

Should be a hell of a match, probably the best of the WC thus far. Can't wait.

It sucks that we have to play on Fri when Argentina and Germany have their match on Sat despite playing a day before us.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

It is very difficult to predict how this game will play out. I've got the feeling that the Netherlands hasn't really shown their true colors and haven't played at full capacity yet. It could also be that they simply cannot do better, but that wouldn't really make sense.

I've seen them playing in the friendlies against Mexico (2-1), Ghana (4-1) and Hungary (6-1) in the weeks just before the World Cup started and they then played very differently in comparison to their current style. I find it hard to believe they have lost the ability to play alike that now.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

This will be a very interesting game. Some really nice battles will be fought on the field- Kuyt-Maicon, VdWiel-Robinho, Bastos-Robben and De Jong-Kaka, to name a few.

I expect Brazil to give Holland the initiative and go for the counterattack. Brazil's matches so far proved they aren't comfortable dictating the play and rather rely on their solid defensive and lash out on the counter.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

While it looks a fantastic game on paper I can actually see this turning out to be a cautious tactical game from both sides.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

I dear to say that we are stronger from a counter perspective with the precision and speed of Robben (and possible Elia) as well as the passing ability of Sneijder.

People also underestimate Van Bommel and De Jong. I believe they are up to the task of taking out Elano and Kaka. However, it will be cautious indeed. Our defensive qualities are too limited and hence, they will need constant midfield support.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

i think that Brasil will win easy, because Netherlands don`t play good enough to win against Brasil.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

Holland's advantage comes in the Robben x Michel Bastos clash. Juan is having a great tournament and maybe he'll be able to cover that side.

On the other hand, if Holland gives Brazil the chances they gave Slovakia, they will be punished.

I hope our DM's are able to play close to Sneijder and prevent his acurate long balls and shots.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

st. maarten

vdw - heitinga - mathijsen - gio

mvb - nigelinho

robben island - sneijder - el toro elia

rvp​

make it happen bert!

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

I'd like to ask the dutch:

Wouldn't your attack play better with Van Persie on the left, Robben on the right and someone (maybe Huntelaar) in the center?
I think Van Persie's talent is wasted in the way he is being played.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

I agree. That's why I am hoping for an early goal, this way one team will have no choice but to go out and attack. Although even without an early goal I think both teams have too many class players for the game to become a goalless, bore draw. Dunga and Van Maarwijk have chosen a rather cautious approach for this WC, but despite that their teams have shown some nice flowing attacking moves every now and then.
I will be rooting for the Dutch. Brazil has won the WC five times already - if Germany won't win the title (and I doubt it, they're just too young) I would really like to see the Dutch finally winning the Cup for the first time, they'ld deserve to, anyway.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

rvp will do better without kuyt being in his way imo, which is why i want elia on the left with robben on the right.

but kuyt does offer a lot of backtracking so he will most likely play since we're facing brazil, with him in the side i definately feel we are a lot less dangerous going forward, but some don't share the same opinion.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

This match I want the Dutch to win, Hup Oranje!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hup Holland e Nederland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The reason I want Netherlands to take out Brazil is simple, Netherlands are just too strong as a team right now going undefeated in a World Cup going 4-0-0 not even losing a single game, that is impressive, and Netherlands their defence is rock solid, did you see how they contained Denmark, Japan, Cameroon, and even Slovakia yesterday, none of those teams could do anything to the Dutch except score on a penalty spot kick which of the only exceptions being Cameroon and Slovakia, but what I am saying here is that Netherlands have been impressive winning every single match and doing it so decisively that they have dominated their opponents in possession, shots on goal, etc., you name it.

Brazil to me they haven't really impressed me at all, to tell you the truth, their defence to me has rather looked lacklustre as compared to the Brazil squads of the past, and Holland they can expose Brazil, and Brazil has not been playing with that flare like how the original Brazil squads of the past have used to, and to me in my opinion they have just looked rather suspect to me in their games against North Korea almost losing that game but winning barely 2-1, beating Ivory Coast we expected that to happen, and against Portugal, the Brazilians disappointed ending in a 0-0 draw, and beating Chile yesterday, we expected that.

Against Holland, Brazil will lose, I mean Holland is just too strong right now, and too talented to let this one slip away. Holland especially if they have Robben in for the full 90, as well they start Van Persie, Huntelaar, Elia replacing Kuyt, Sneijder, Afellay to come in as a super sub, as well with their talent in defence in Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, and their goalie Stekelenburg who has been nothing short of phenomenal, this could be the Oranje's time.

Holland wins this match 2-1

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

Brazil faced tougher opposition than Holland so far.

Japan bunkered = North Korea
Denmark < Portugal
Cameroon < Ivory Coast

Slovakia < Chile

Keep in mind that Slovakia forced Stekelenburg to make good saves, while Julio Cesar had nothing to do against Chile.
Also, you said Brazil ALMOST LOST to North Korea! What game did you watch?

You say Brazil's defense looked lacklustre. Let's look at that:

Julio Cesar > Stekelenburg
Maicon > Wiel
Juan and Lucio > Heitinga and Mathijsen
Michel Bastos <= 35 old Bronckhorst

Van Bommel and De Jong > Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo in ball skills
Van Bommel and De Jong < Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo in defensive skills

I see Brazil having a better defense.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

It pains me to say this, but there's no way we will beat Brazil.
I can see maybe a hardfought draw, but thats it

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

Your defense is excellent. But our forwards are better than yours

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

Well,

Luis Fabiano > Van Persie, at least playing as a number 9.
Robinho > Kuijt
Robben > Anything we have on the right side.
Sneijder > Kaka

While Kuijt will track back more than Robinho, Elano/Daniel Alves will track back more than Robben.
It's pretty even.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

Our bench with Elia/afellay > your bench

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

Nilmar and Daniel Alves are not worse than Elia and Afellay.
All things considered, I think Brazil has the edge, but only a slight one.
An early goal would change everything.

 

Raising soccer terror alert to highest level for other teams: CODE ORANGE!! Code ORANGE!!

Raising soccer terror alert to highest level for other teams: CODE ORANGE!! Code ORANGE!!

Robben is back and is kicking ass. With him we can keep the playing field wide so the defenders have to spread or risk to keep open the other side for our other fast track players.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

That's the most thing Im scared about, Kaka been slacking, Melo is hur. Ramires can't play due to cards.

 

Re: Match 59 (QF) - Winner 53 v Winner 54 - Pre-Match Thread

Here you are again, in another Brasil thread, parroting the same tired conventional wisdom (Brasil no longer play jogo bonito, blah blah blah) that you were pushing before the Chile match.

Are you actually watching the games? And if you are, are you actually paying attention? It seems to me like you're attempting (and failing) to force everything you see into your pre-conceived narrative.

Our defense was brilliant yesterday. Juan, in particular, was a monster. Chile pressured us intensely for nearly 30 minutes in the first half. We soaked it up, without any serious threat on our goal. And then, in the space of four minutes, we killed off the game. We were closer to scoring our fourth than Chile was to grabbing a consolation goal.

Let's not even go into your assessment of the North Korea game.

This is one of the best Brasil sides I've seen in a while. It has character and grit and speed and ruthless efficiency. They're way better than the bunch of tourists we sent to Germany in 2006. Brasil may well lose to the Netherlands, who are a great team. But if so, it will be because we were outplayed or out-strategized, not because we've been playing "lackluster" football.