World Cup 2010 head-to-head: Holland v Brazil

guardian.co.uk by Daniel Taylor

Both of these superpowers are facing the same challenge – they must win to justify their new-found pragmatism

Form

Holland v Denmark 2-0, v Japan 1-0, v Cameroon 2-1, v Slovakia 2-1

Brazil v North Korea 2-1, v Ivory Coast 3-1, v Portugal 0-0, v Chile 3-0

Holland are the team with the immaculate record, having won all of their four games in South Africa so far – not to mention all eight of their qualifying matches – but a ruthless if not exhilarating Brazil made light work of coming through the closest this World Cup had to a Group of Death, and the manner in which they dismantled Chile in the last 16 justified their status as one of this year's favourites. The Dutch, in comparison, have flickered without truly igniting but Arjen Robben's return from a hamstring injury gives them a more penetrative edge and they come into this game on the back of a 23-game unbeaten run.

Previous meetings

Holland won 2

Brazil won 3

Drawn 4

Holland goals 13

Brazil goals 14

Managers

Bert van Marwijk v Dunga

These are football countries where it is not enough to win; it has to be done with sophistication. Van Marwijk, the Dutch coach, has been criticised for the more pragmatic style he has introduced but remains unapologetic. "I want to play beautiful football because that is the Dutch way but if we can learn how to win ugly matches we will have progressed," he says. Dunga, Brazil's coach, has done something similar and, again, it has led to criticism that his team do not have the same commitment to attack as teams from the past.

Key clash

Nigel de Jong v Robinho

Robinho has shown that, contrary to popular belief, he can play well in the depths of winter – just not a Manchester one. His link-up play with Luís Fabiano and Kaká – "the golden trio," to use the Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz's description – has been a key element of Brazil's success and was especially evident against Chile. Nigel de Jong, a Manchester City team-mate of sorts, patrols the area between defence and midfield for Holland and will be assigned to subduing him.

Expectations

For Brazil, it is simple – they have to win, otherwise it will be remembered as a failure. If they do become World Champions for a sixth time they will have achieved the remarkable feat of having won the tournament on every continent on which it has been played. The demands on Holland are not so extreme but, at the very least, the team will be expected to improve on what we have seen so far. If they continue playing in such a cautious manner, they will be expected to provide compensation by winning for the first time and managing what other, more flamboyant, Dutch sides could not.

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