Quarterfinal Preview: Brazil Vs Holland

Brazil Vs Netherlands preview:

Tournament favourite, Brazil will take on unpredictable Holland and winner will face Ghana/Uruguay in the semi-finals. Brazil is hampered by injuries while Holland is facing internal quarrels. Holland is looking out of sorts due to lack of quality in attack while Brazil is playing on full throttle due to Kaka-Maicon-Robinho. Holland is laying its entire hopes on Arjen Robben.

Even though, Holland never won world cup, it used to win hearts of football fans by playing an entertaining game. They may exit from this world cup without winning anything.

Match timing: July 2, 7:25 PM

Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay stadium, Port Elizabeth

World Cup performances:

Brazil: Brazil is looking more vibrant and in-form team. They struggled against Portugal

Holland: They won all the games in the tournament but most of them are unimpressive victories.

Key players:

Brazil: Kaka, Lucio, Robinho and Maicon

Holland: Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Stekelenburg.

Squad analysis:

Brazil team: Julio Cesar (Goalkeeper), Lucio (Captain), Maicon, Juan, Michel Bastos, Kaka, Josue, Dani Alves, Gilberto Silva, Luis Fabiano and Robinho. 

Robinho-Kaka are playing in a coordinated way. Maicon and Lucio are providing more attacking options. Luis Fabiano can fire at any time. Brazil defence can easily face poor attackers like Persie and Kuyt. But, they need to control their creative midfielders, Robben and Sneijder. Felipe Melo and Elano absence and suspesion of Ramires weakened Brazil midfield which is the only concern for these Brazilians.

Holland team: Stekelenburg (GK), Van Der Wiel, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst (Captain), Heitinga, Van Bommel, De Jong, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Van Persie and Dirk Kuyt.

Holland’s main problem is lack of quality striker. Robin Van persie is one of the poor performers of the tournament. So, Robben and Sneijder need to carry game on their shoulders. If I were coach, Elia is my choice. Holland is looking very strong in midfield – 2 creative, attacking players (Robben and Sneijder) and 2 holding midfielders (De Jong and Bommel).

Final analysis: Holland is looking compact but not looking as a creative team. Its main problem is inability to score goals. If Persie-Robben-Sneijder plays to their potential, Brazil will be in trouble. Otherwise, Brazil will decimate Holland. We have to see how this make shift Brazil midfield will function as an unit.

Goalkeepers: Both are in wonderful form

Defence: Brazil has slight edge.

Midfield: Holland has clear edge over Brazil

Attacking: Brazil has claer edge over Holland

World Cup game Prediction: Brazil 2 - Holland 1