Selecao fans and bandwagon jumpers all over the world, most notably in the Indian subcontinent and North America, saw their favourite colour of yellow turn a distinctly redder shade of orange.
So, bandwagon jumpers, what happened to all you 'Brazil fans'. You barely knew 'your team 'to begin with, can you name those in defeat whom you barely knew in victory ? Ha !
I thought the game was a little scrappy and yes the Japanese referee got many calls wrong. But Brazil were eventually outplayed, outfoxed and outhustled by Holland who beat them after coming from behind to win 2-1.
Brazil looked like they were sailing at 1-0 but Kaka apart, failed to threaten, thereafter Robinho should be sacked. Goal apart he did little for the team cause. Selfish and on dimensional. And when you defend like that, what do you expect ?
Key points of the game:
- Japanese Referee Yuichi Nishimura had a nightmare. I understand FIFA want to spread the game by involving more people. Is diluting the quality on show, the answer though ? He tried hard but what experience does he have of such games. For games such as this and at this stage of the world cup, you need the best, most experience referees in the world. They are not found in the J League.
- Notice how Brazil's full backs were anonymous ? that's cause no one had bothered to track and close them down. Dutch captain Giovanni Van Bronkhorst had Maicon in his back pocket, ably supported by dirk Kuyt. On the other flank, Gregory Van Der Wiel did much the same to Michel Bastos, who became petulant and got booked enroute to dishing out some nasty challenges.
- Gilberto could not track Wesley Sneijder while Arjen Robben had the freedom of the park.
- Robinho didn't help out defending at all. Contrast with Lukas Podolski versus Argentina.
- Both Felipe Melo, Maicon and Juan jumped way too early at set pieces.
- Holland's first choice pairing was missing with Joris Mathijsen absent. As a result John Heitinga came in but lacked that understanding with partner Andre Ooijer in the center of Holland's defence. That, and that alone was why there was such a gap in the middle of the Dutch defence. The same gap that an un-tracked Robinho ran into to score.
- After a tepid season with Real, how refreshing has it been to see Kaka unleash his passing, playmaking and dribbling skills ?
- 2 Defensive midfielders + 3 Attacking midfielders is better than 2 defensive midfielders + 2 attacking midfielders and Dani Alves.
- Holland may have been lucky at the first goal but they never stopped trying whereas Brazil relaxed after their lead and gave up after the equalizer.
- Anyone notice how quick Maarten Stekelenburg's reflexes are? And how much Julio Cesar looks like Vince Vaughn ?
- Has Nigel De Jong been the World Cup's best defensive midfielder so far ?
Finally, how cool is it to see Philip Cocu on the coaching staff for Holland. Still looks the same he did throughout his playing career.
Holland 2 - 1 Brazil
No comments:
Post a Comment