Brazil 1 Holland 2

Nelson Mandela Bay/Port Elizabeth Friday July 2 16.00 SA Time – Brazil 1 Holland 2 (Robinho, 10’; F. Melo o.g., 53’, Sneijder, 68’)

Brazil were vastly superior in the first half, gaining three corners against Holland’s two, having 14 shots against Holland’s 8 and scoring on 10’, Robinho connecting with a wonderful through ball, right-foot shot, 1-0. On 11’ Kuyt’s shot was saved by Julio Cesar. Juan and Luis Fabiano shot over before on 31’, a Kaka shot was soaring into the top right-hand corner…but Stekelenburg managed a fine save. A free kick by Schnejder on target on 36’ was easily held by Brazil’s goalkeeper.

In the second half, Brazil lost concentration and allowed Holland to attack. Sneijder´s shot from outside the area was headed into goal by Filipe Melo on 53’ and on 68’, Sneijder headed in from a corner. To cap a dreadful second half, Filipe Melo was sent off on 73’.

Brazil’s defence was rock solid in the first half, pitifully amateurish in the second. However, why the referee send Melo off when Dutch players did not even receive a caution for dangerous play which broke up Brazil’s attack, only FIFA in its infinite wisdom will know.

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Felipe Melo, M. Bastos (Gilberto Melo), G. Silva, L. Fabiano (Nilmar), Kaká, Robinho, D. Alves

Holland: Stekelenburg, Van der Wiel, Heitinga, V. Bronckhurst, V. Bommel, Kuyt, de Jong, Van Persie (Huntelaar), Sneijder, Robben, Ooijer

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY