HOLLAND v BRAZIL
Holland has what it takes to be real contenders. They’ve already shown their coordination, precision passing, attack mentality and individual skills. In this match they revealed a ruthless side to their game that sent a message to their opponents in the next round: if our beautiful football isn’t enough to win it, we’ll win it another way.
Favorites Brazil took the lead in the 1st half, thanks to glorious, fluid movement that repeatedly swamped the Dutch defense. Andre Ooijer, in at center back for the injured Mathijson, let Melo gain far too much ground and pass the ball. Robinho connected and Stekelenburg was beaten.
The goal set Brazil off on a series of attacks that only failed to reward due to Juan and Kaka and Fabiano failing to finish. Unfazed, Brazil started counting their chickens at the interval. Way too soon. In the 2nd half, the Dutch dug in and played a more cynical game, tactically designed to put Brazil off their stride. The yellow cards started mounting, tempers flared. The usually impeccable Julio Cesar totally missed Sneijder’s cross as it brushed off Melo’s head and into the net for an own goal. Jolted into action, Brazil attempted to regain their advantage. Instead, the Dutch got a corner. Robben crossed, Kuyt flicked it on, Sneijder headed it in.
Frustrated by Robben going down too easily and too often, Melo tromped on the Dutch winger’s leg and was given a straight red card. Down to 10 men, Brazil’s composure unraveled — they never seriously threatened again. The Nederlands didn’t achieve the prettiest win ever, but it was emphatic. Their post-game celebrations made a stark contrast to the Brazilians’ glassy-eyed shock and dismay at having crashed ingloriously out of contention.
***
URUGUAY v GHANA
The last set of Quarterfinals, the Semifinals and the Final notwithstanding, this was the match of the tournament, an edge-of-the-seat thriller that went to full-time, extra time and a penalty shootout before Uruguay’s dreams came true and Ghana’s — nay, Africa’s heart was broken.
It was game-on from the kickoff. A breathless 1st half ended in a stunning 30-yard strike from Muntari that put Ghana ahead on the stroke of 1/2-time and transformed him from a bad-guy (sent home last week after butting heads with the coach) into a pan-African hero. Uruguay struck back at 55 minutes through Diego Forlán — and no surprise there. Uruguay’s success to date is largely due to their top striker being in top form. His free kick was yet another masterpiece; the notorious Jabulani went one way then bent the other, utterly hookwinking Kingson in goal.
All tied at 1 – 1 at full time, we got another 1/2-hour of unrelenting, attacking football from both sides. Literally in the last seconds of play, a shot-on-goal by Adiyiah was kicked off the line and his follow up punched off the line by Suárez. The deliberate handball won the Uruguayan a red and Gyan — another striker having an excellent tournament — stepped up to the spot. The game was his to win, but incredibly, appallingly he struck the bar.
Uruguay was down to 10 men, but that doesn’t mean squat in a penalty shoot-out. Having squandered a gilt-edged opportunity, Ghana was rightly reeling, yet astonishingly it was Gyan who fearlessly returned to the spot to take the first penalty. And damned if he didn’t convert it.
Though Gyan had the grit to face the gaping net and send the ball screaming into it, still the wind had gone out of Ghana’s sails. They hung on for a few rounds, then Mensah hit a weak one that the Uruguayan keeper saved. Next up, Pereira missed by a mile, but Ghana couldn’t capitalize. With a wonderful, one-handed stop, the Muslera sent Adiyiah’s subsequent shot wide. Uruguay clinched the win with a cheeky chip down the center from Abreu.
Ghana came this close to becoming the first African nation to reach the Semifinals. A wild miss and 2 great saves later, it’s Uruguay moving on with the aim of recapturing the cup they won 80 years ago.