When you’re wrong, you’re wrong. And today I was wrong. What makes it a little more aggravating is that Alexi Lalas was right: Holland 2 Brazil 1. This was certainly the foulest tempered game of the World Cup thus far (though not as brutal as the disgusting display between Portugal and Holland four years ago in which two players from each team were sent off). Robinho set the tone when cameras clearly captured him screaming “F*** YOU” into the face of the stunned Dutch midfielder De Jong just a few minutes into the match. He delivered a more effective blow at Dutch hopes for advancement when he got in behind their defense (for some inexplicable reason Holland’s flying winger Arjen Robben was marking the Brazilian forward with defenders Heitinga and Ooijer caught completely out of position) before latching onto Felipe Melo’s perfect through ball and finishing easily past a helpless Stekelenberg. It would be one of his only positive contributions to an otherwise exceedingly ugly match. A pity that both teams are not on a plane back home.
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The Dutch were static and predictable, their only openings coming from the hard work of Dirk Kuyt down the left, long balls over the top to striker van Persie or Robben’s attempts to cut into the box from his position on the right wing. The Brazilians seemed content, as they always have been under Dunga, to sit back on their 1-0 lead and look for opportunities on the counter. Despite a series of lovely back-heels, flicks and one-twos, these proved few-and-far between with Luis Fabiano ineffective up front and Kaka the only spark of life aside from the occasional run forward of right-back Maicon. Their best chance came when Juan fired over on the half-volley after Dani Alves did well to send in a low cross from the right. Meanwhile, every throw in was argued (What ME?? Are you blind??!! It went off him!!), every call protested, eyes rolling and teeth flashing in anger and exasperation. Tempers flared as both sides shoved and accused the other of diving and play-acting. These men were playing for a chance at a World Cup semi-final and the niceties of the game stood not a chance of being observed.
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In the second-half, the game was turned on its head as the Dutch scored twice on balls into the box—a traditional specialty for this physically-imposing Brazilian defense—and Dunga’s tactics were exposed as naïve and one dimensional. The first goal was improbable as Sneijder’s curling deep cross eluded every Dutch player in the box before skimming off the top of Melo’s head and past the punch of the onrushing Julio Cesar into the net. Did the hideous vuvuzelas drown out the keeper’s desperate pleas for his midfielder to leave the ball alone? I don’t speak much Portuguese but my guess is Cesar would confirm that suspicion in private. The second goal had more intention about it as Kuyt brilliantly headed Robben’s whipped-in corner back across the danger-area for Sneijder to head home. That man Melo, who played a crucial part in the other two goals, inexplicably left the Inter playmaker unmarked. Brazil were forced to go forward in search of an equalizer but, except for Kaka, seemed short of ideas.
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Their hopes were dealt a death blow when Melo was rightly shown a straight red card by the Japanese referee for stamping on a prostrate Robben. It was always going to be a struggle with ten men but the best Dunga, whose nickname means “Dopey” in Portuguese, could do was make a straight substitution, Fabiano coming off for Nilmar. It was not enough and the Brazilians crashed out far earlier than even their most pessimistic fans had anticipated. Tears for Kaka, joy for the dispiriting Dutch, who I sincerely hope will bow out in the semis. Look for Dunga, surprisingly handed this job four years ago despite never having held a professional coaching job, to be given the sack or resign by the end of the day. Uruguay and Ghana kick off in an hour and a half. We can expect greater sportsmanship from them.
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One Moment of Comedy: Referee Mr. Nishimura accidentally showing Ooijer a red card for kicking the ball away from Kaka on a late Brazilian throw-in. He laughed upon realizing his mistake and quickly pulled out the yellow, much to the relief of the Dutch, the cards presumably having gotten mixed up after Melo’s sending-off.