Brazil vs. Dutch

This would be the biggest test for both the teams with respect to this world cup.

Dutch Progress

Dutch have had a easy route till the pre-quarters or the round of 16. They had a rather easy outing against the Danes, where we were able to see the opportunistic Dirk Kuyt the way he plays for Liverpool, though many of the premier league fans does not like his style of play he proved his worth in the dutch side just for that sheer brilliance. In fact they were never tested in that game and the other goal coming off a own goal from the dane defender. The next match was all possessional play by the dutch and a piece of individual brilliance of the Champions league winner Wesley Schneider that was a superb goal and one of the goals of the tourney. The Japanese goal keeper was unable to control the pace that Schneider hit. The rest of the second half was again mainly dominated by the Dutch possessional football. They were never really tested even in the second game. The third one was against the Cameroonians and rightly said by the then great Roger Milla that Samuel Eto' is not a player who converts is club form to the national side and he can talk about this for another four years which the entire world would accept. Again this game was not at all a test for either the mid field or the defence of the Dutch. In the pre quarters or the round of 16 the Dutch did have one of the easiest opponents but still they did not win it convincingly. The only bright piece of the match was the return of the star winger Arjen Robben who is still one of the best winger in the world football. He is really unstoppable when he is in full flow. Apart from the three players Wesley Schneider, Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt no one else had showed their full potential and the biggest flops are Van Persie, Van Bommel and VanderWart.

Brazil Progress

They started from the group tipped as the group of death of this world cup. Though criticized for playing the European style football there were glimpses of magic from Robinho,Fabiano,Bastos and Maicon in the first half against North Korea. They were denied by a 8 member North Korean defence in the first half which was a truly entertaining game considering the North Korean team was fairly unknown to anyone on the field. The moment of magic came in the second half from the best right back in the world, this ought to be the goal of the tournament so far what a finish with no angle to score it past the packed defence and the goal keeper. That was the real 'jogo bonito'. Then came the bad boy of club football Robinho, amazingly he is unlike other stars who play well for the club and not good for the country where as he plays well for the country than the club. Robinho’s show boated in his style and sent a neat pass to Elano who completed a very good goal past the keeper. At the back the Brasilians were superb until the 86th minute when a rare splurge of the Koreans beat the wall Julio Ceasar, which made Dunga really upset for conceding an easy goal which was basically a defensive lapse. In the next encounter the Samba boys took to the Elephants/Ivorians led by the Chelsea star Drogba. This game was tipped by football pundits that Elephants would knock the Samba magic but to their surprise the Samba magic was on in the initial minutes of the game and a superb passing by the 3 forwards of Brasil saw the first goal in the 25th minute which was a typical striker's goal. Robinho got the ball from the back and burst into the midfield where Kaka received the ball well just before the penalty area of the Ivorian goal and sent a beautiful pass to Fabiano who crossed a bit and sealed on the roof of the goal which was an amazing team effort. At the half period the game was almost sealed and the Elephants did drop their head and once the play resumed it was Fabiano again a solo effort with some help of the hand but still was a beautiful effort to score that goal past 2 or 3 defenders. Then came one of the beautiful play making by Kaka who got the ball from Melo/Gilberto at the middle of the park and took the ball surging forward past the mid fielders and the defenders and gave a through ball to Elano who made 2 in 2 of this world cup. That was the masterpiece of Kaka's genius. It was all Kaka in that goal even Elano acknowledged that by pulling Kaka to celebrate the goal. Again Brasilian coach hadto rue for a rare let off which Drogba scored a header. Then came the drama in the match where Abdul Kadar Keita fell on the ground for a touch on his chest by Kaka who was already booked for an offence for pushing Yaya Toure, holding the face as if the touch would have killed him. This play act of Keita got Kaka the second yellow and was immediately given the marching orders which Kaka accepted with a sarcastic laughter/smile on his face, though the match was already sealed. This was the shame of the world cup until the refreeing fault against England and Mexico. The next match was a dead rubber where Brasil didnt have Kaka, Robinho and Elano and they played out a dull draw but with occasional brilliance up front by Fabiona and Nilmar. They comfortably topped the group of death. In the pre-quarter or the round of 16 they faced their fellow south Americans Chile, the match started amazingly for Chile with more posession and a bit threatening but not for the defence of Maicon, Juan and Bastos lead by Lucio. Chile gave everything with deploying 3 forwards and wanted to take the fight to Brasil, but after 10 mins it started to settle down as Brasil started to play what they know the best in the world. They started to give tough times for the Chilean defence and many of their chances were saved brilliantly by Bravo until the 34th minute when Maicon took a corner from the right side and Lucio managed no one interfered with the towering Juan who broke the dead lock to put the ball past the keeper into the back of the net. Then the 'jogo bonito' was at display again and again threesome attack proved the Chilean defence was feeble when Brasil were on the counter on a ball from Maicon which was well received by Robinho who put the ball through to Kaka who was in the game after serving the suspension. Kaka fed the ball to Fabiano who went around the diving goal keeper and scored a perfect counter attacking goal which almost sealed the game. The samba boys went into the half time with a satisfaction and equally appreciated by the public on the ground. The resumption of the game did not bring any difference and this time at almost an hour mark defensive mid fielder Ramires took the ball tackling against the Chilean mid fielders and sent a cross to Robinho who finished that neatly at the back of the net which nailed the Chilean coffin. The good thing about the game was Dunga would have been extremely pleased with the Samba boys were unbreakable in the defence and Julio Ceasar was equally impressive.

Key Players

Dutch

Arjen Robben
He is one of the best left footed wingers in the world without any doubt. He created an aura during his first strike against the Slovakians which was a typical counter attack which was mostly missing in the first round matches for the Dutch and he created sensation on his first start in the world cup. He has what it takes to give the attack and nightmares to the formidable Brazilian defence. He will be the player to watch on the Dutch side who can be the X-factor of the outcome.

Weseley Schneider
The dead ball specailist and a good play maker. He has the temparament and mettle but have to see if he can deliver the goods consistently

Dirk Kuyt
He can play many roles, Striker, holding midfielder, attacking midfielder and also provide stability in defense.

Robin Van Persie
He has to come good and this is the right time if he can prove his worth. There were huge expectations of him before the World cup but he has not delivered it.

Brazil

Kaka
He holds the key in the centre of the mid field. He is getting back to form and his assists are proving deadly. His touches of the ball are good to watch and his partnership with his old club mate is being renewed to new horizons and the two have already contributed for 2 goals. If he starts scoring himself it would be a delight to watch and many of the Brazilian fans all over the world will be praying for the same. He can cause a devastation in the Dutch defense with his sheer presence and deft passing.

Fabiano
Already accounted for 3 superb goals one with the help of his hands. He has found old mate to partner him to pass the ball at the right moment at the right place. He is getting closer to be the top scorer this world cup and he can achieve it with the two behind him who are so good in breaking the mid field and defense and he is not new to that art either.

Robinho
This guy is the one which the entire world would be amazed as he is the only player who is playing well for the country than for the club which is often the reverse take any player into consideration. His skill on the ball is amazing to watch and his show boating is really good to look at. He has already opened his account and he has to be more team oriented than going for glory.

Maicon & Lucio
Arguably the best defensive pair in the world are having a good time. This is not most common for Brazil. Their presence in the field keeps the opposition forwards at bay.

Julio Ceasar
Arguably the best goal keeper in the World is having a good time saving lots of shots himself and his two mates in front of him.

Predictions
Brazil 3 - 2 Netherlands