Holland v Brazil pre-match thoughts

All logic points to a Brazil victory here. Brazil has the form, great team play, clinical in front of goal and ruthlessness in defense. This Dutch team hasn't shown any of these qualities so far in this tournament.

This doesn't mean Holland will just lay down and die. But they need a lot of luck and play a perfect game to go through.

Brazil’s main offensive weapons, Maicon, Robinho and Kaka are in prime position to attack the Dutch's weakest parts. Gio van Bronckhorst, who hasn't been tested this World Cup, has an alarming lack of pace and if he comes in 1v1 situation with Maicon, he will probably be destroyed. Bert van Marwijk will try to minimize Gio's problems by putting Dirk Kuyt, with his famous work-ethic, on the left side. Kaka and Robinho will no doubt try to test inexperienced right full back Gregory van der Wiel. Van der Wiel had a very bad game against Slovakia, and it has to be seen how he is going to cope against world class opposition. Don't be surprised if Van Marwijk puts Boulahrouz in for Van der Wiel if it will go bad on the Dutch right side.

The defensive qualities of Brazil are well known, and Holland doesn't have the team at the moment to really test them, apart maybe from Robben if he can go 1v1 against Bastos. I am almost hoping Holland will go behind, forcing Van Marwijk to change his conservative playing style. This will bring in Rafael van der Vaart at one of the holding midfield positions. With his offensive way of playing, good team play with Wesley Sneijder, and his trickery he will give Holland a distinct improvement going forward, and there is no doubt in my mind with this formation Oranje can really trouble Brazil's defense.

Most people in the Netherlands are pretty discouraged about Holland's chances in this game. But they are also curious where Holland stands under Van Marwijk. It's been a long time since Holland played a big game at a big tournament, also Oranje hasn't ever been really tested in their qualifying campaign or even in friendlies. It also will be the very first time that Holland isn't the favorite in a game since 2008, it's hard to say if this a good thing or not.
This game can have a big impact on the future of this Dutch team too. If Holland get embarrassed by Brazil, I can see Bert van Marwijk being done, even though results have been good, but the way of playing under Van Marwijk has been disappointing since the moment he's been hired. But if Holland wins, this can be the blueprint of future Dutch teams.


Projected Dutch line up (4-2-3-1) Stekelenburg; van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst; van Bommel, de Jong; Robben, Sneijder, Kuyt; van Persie

Fearless prediction: 2-1 to Brazil. In the first half I expect a very defensive game. And as long as nobody scores it will continue that way.
Let's hope for an early goal, and a dramatic Dutch victory. But it's probably more realistic to expect Brazil to be just too solid for this Dutch team.