Monday, February 6th, 2012
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has sided with opponent coach Dunga after Dutch legend Johan Cruyff criticised Brazil’s playing style.
Cruyff said he would not pay to see the current Brazil team, who Dunga has shaped into a more functional unit than the flashy sides of past World Cups, but van Marwijk said he “can understand” Brazil’s approach and that the Netherlands too have had to evolve their style to suit modern football.
The teams will play on Friday at 1400 hours GMT time at Port Elizabeth’s stadium, with a place at the semi-finals at stake. The winner of this match face a date with the winner of the Uruguay vs Ghana match at the semi-finals.
Van Marwijk said of Cruyff’s criticisms: “In Holland, we have a little bit the same problem. Thirty years ago, it was ‘Total Football’. But sport changes and football changes also. Now, everybody is getting fitter and better organised, so when you play like we used to, it’s more difficult to win the World Cup.
“I can understand Brazil – but still, they can play football very well, and we are the same. But there’s a difference between good football and attractive football. We really want to play well, but it can’t always be attractive. A match with lots of goals is always more attractive than a match without goals.”
Dunga insisted the ball is in van Marwijk’s court in terms of how much entertainment will be on offer, warning that a containment strategy from the Dutch could result in a dour affair.
Dunga said: “It has a lot to do with the way Holland react, but quite clearly, when both teams are on the offensive, the quality of the play is much better. If you have 20 players in one half of the field, it’s more difficult for there to be goals. But if those 20 players are spread out over the field, yes, there are going to be more goals. We would like it to be an open game – then it will be a beautiful game. The games are becoming more difficult, more technical in nature, but I believe the spectators will see a very exciting game.”
Midfielder Elano is out with an ankle injury, Ramires is suspended but Felipe Melo is expected to replace Elano depending on his fitness.
Both managers will hope the pitch is in better shape than it has been for recent games with groundstaff having worked tirelessly on the playing surface since it was last used for the Uruguay v South Korea game on Saturday.
Dunga said: “It is important that the pitch allows the players to demonstrate their maximum potential. We hope that the pitch will allow both teams to provide a beautiful spectacle of football.”
Tags: Bert van Marwijk, Brazil, Dunga, Johan Cruyff, Netherlands, World Cup