World Cup Quarterfinals Predictions: Brazil vs. The Netherlands

by Ron Furlong

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

In a match-up that would be worthy of a World Cup title game, Brazil and The Netherlands hook up in a much anticipated quarterfinal match on Friday.

The Dutch come in fresh off a comfortable win over Slovakia in the round of 16. The final was 2-1, but it never felt that close. Slovakia scored on a PK at the very end of injury time to break the clean sheet.

Brazil also rolled through their round of 16 game, beating Chile 3-0. The South American club is oozing with confidence.

"Some people doubted that we would perform," said Brazil coach Dunga. "But as we go along, that confidence is growing and growing and we hope to make it to the final."

Brazil has few concerns entering the match, other than the yellow card Kaka picked up versus Chile. Kaka had returned to the Chile game from suspension and immediately got booked again.

"It is a problem, I don't want Kaka to be out suspended,'' he said.

"It looks as though the technical players are punished and those who commit fouls aren't always. This started happening in the group phase and we are going to talk about this with Kaka. It is a concern for him, but we don't want to get bogged down with the issue.''

The Netherlands, who have never won this prestigious tournament, have reached the finals twice, back in 1974 and 1978. They lost to Germany and Argentina, respectively.

They know this might be their best chance, and the biggest obstacle they may face could be the game on Friday.

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst of the Netherlands is quite confident. Before the game with Slovakia, he said, "I do believe we will become world champions. There is a great atmosphere in the group and it's good to hear that so many people are supporting us back home.''

Arjen Robben, who made his first start of the tournament after recovering from a hamstring injury, scored in the Slovakia game and has been in top form for several months.

"We played a difficult match. Main thing is, we are through," Robben said. "Probably the perfect game has still to come."

Another positive for the Dutch was the fitness of Robin Van Persie in the Slovakia game. He was able to play 80 strong minutes.

The game will be played at a quick pace, and it will be interesting to see who can control the ball more. The trademark of this Netherlands team is their ball movement and ball control. But keeping it away from Brazil may prove more difficult than they are used to.

Luis Fabiano thinks that the five-time champions from Brazil will be able to control the ball versus the Dutch.

"We are doing well as a team, we are improving ball possession, and we are able to create good play," Fabiano told Sky Sport Italia .

"Holland? We have discovered that we have great qualities, if we play like this then we can go very far."

Brazil coach Dunga is not looking past the Dutch.

"Holland have a great World Cup tradition and they are very similar to the South American teams so we have to be extremely careful," he said. "We have to be prepared to deal with extremely technical, excellent players. They are a solid team."

I think in the end, the deciding factor may be who can create more quality chances out of the midfield position. Both teams are strong at this, but I tend to favor the Netherlands against Brazil's mainly untested group in the back.

Not one team has really tested the Brazilian goal consistently, other than a couple quality shots in the first game from North Korea and a few good chances by the Ivory Coast on the counter-attack. Portugal had little possession (39 percent for the game) and relied heavily on the counter-attack, similar to Ivory Coast.

Brazil have not seen a team yet that will have the passing technique and quality shots that the Orange no doubt will have.

My prediction: In an upset, The Netherlands 3-Brazil 2, the Dutch getting the winning goal in extra time. If it does stay tied and it goes to penalty kicks, I would favor Brazil in the PK's.

The game will be played at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.