Holland 2-1 SlovakiaHolland's World Cup has been so far fairly low key. Routine yet hard fought group stage victories were followed up by another such win on Monday afternoon against Slovakia.
Goals from the returning Arjen Robben and the diminutive Wesley Sneijder were enough to see the Oranje through to a first quarter final since meeting Brazil in America in 1994. The performance wasn't totally convincing once again however.
The Slovaks created a number of openings for themselves in the second half that forced Maarten Stekelenburg to finally prove his worth as the new Dutch number one. If the Eastern Europeans has kept their concentration Hollands second goal may never even have come and their last minute consolation may not have been in vain.
That would have been a misleading scoreline however. The presence of Robben clearly caused problems for the Slovaks and the Dutch created a host of chances, particularly early in the second half.
Their failure to find a second goal could have cost them as their opponents finally began to get a foothold in the game but Martin Skrtel's lapse in concentration allowed Dirk Kuyt to set up Sneijder for a tap in. Skrtel was arguing with the referee as Holland took a quick free kick.
Robert Vittek scored his fourth World Cup goal with the final kick of the game but it was too late to launch a comeback. Over all it has been a successful first World Cup for the Slovaks who will have been delighted to beat Italy to reach the second round in the first place. Anything after that would have been a bonus.
Holland will need to raise their game if they're to overcome this Brazil team. Confidence will be high after twelve consecutive competitive victories but Brazil offer a totally new proposition. They possess superior defensive qualities to any other side and are also ruthless going forward. Those who suggest that the Dutch will finally play a team as open as themselves may be mistaken come Friday afternoon.
Netherland's teams have a reputation for in-fighting and this year now looks no different. Robin van Persie is believed to have have been angered by his substitution. The Arsenal striker would rather it was his nemesis Sneijder to have been withdrawn rather than himself and coach Bert van Marvijk was forced into calling a team meeting to discuss the matter.
With the Oranje so close to a first World Cup final since 1978 it will be a surprise if such insignificant matters will get in their way of giving the Selecao a good game on Friday.
Brazil Finally Signal Intent
Brazil 3-0 ChileChile's World Cup dream came to an abrupt end in Ellis Park on Monday as Brazil finally showed the world what they are capable of.
The Samba boys were unconvincing in the group stages and only occasionally dazzled in topping their group. North Korea became hard to break down, Ivory Coast became an overly physical proposition and the final game with Portugal became no more than a dead rubber as both teams had already qualified.
In Johannesburg the Brazilians showed how defensively strong they now are, as well as how ruthless and clinical they can be in attack. The attacking triumvirate of Robinho, Kaka and Luis Fabiano all played their part in helping amass their three goal haul.
The absentees, Felipe Melo and Elano, were not overly missed as Brazil ran out comfortable winners. Once Juan and Fabiano put away two quick fire goals mid way through the first half the game was already over as a contest.
Chile were without three front line players and were clearly spent from their earlier endeavours in the group stages. Having come through one of the tournaments toughest groups and experiencing so many emotions even to reach this stage the Chileans looked incapable of turning around any deficit against the boys in canary yellow.
Chances were hard to come by and Brazil looked extremely comfortable both in defence and when they went forward. Chile's own expansive game plan played into the hands of the Selecao, who looked like they could score whenever they felt like doing so.
Warning signs are there for all to see now. Holland will have their work cut out both to contain their attack and break down their Champions League winners in defence.
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