Brazil set-up quarter-final clash with Netherlands

JOHANNESBURG - The South Africa World Cup’s first quarter-final pits Brazil against the Netherlands in Port Elizabeth Friday after both sides eased their way through Monday’s Round of 16 matches.

While FIFA were refusing to comment on increasing calls for them to allow referees to use technology during matches, five-time world champions Brazil and two-time runners-up Netherlands needed no controversial decisions to help them into the last eight.

The Netherlands were first to book their place with a 2-1 win over Slovakia, while Brazil thrashed Chile 3-0 later in the day.

In Durban, Arjen Robben marked his first start in the tournament by scoring the first on 18 minutes and Wesley Sneijder put the result beyond doubt six minutes from time.

In stoppage time Martin Jakubo was brought down by Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and Robert Vittek scored the penalty, but the Netherlands held on.

Vittek goes home as current level top-scorer on four goals with Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain. He said: “I have proved I can score at this level and as a team we have done our country proud.”

Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel praised FIFA Man of the Match Robben, saying: “He is so important for us. He always causes the opposition problems and, as we saw today, he scores goals.”

But although Robben was content with his first start at this World Cup after recovering from a hamstring injury, he was conscious of the need for the Dutch to improve if they are to progress.

“We will have to play better against a team of Brazil’s calibre. It was important for me to play the first game after being out for three weeks. I was not 100 percent but it felt good to be back,” he said.

Robben was not the only star as midfielder Wesley Sneijder was again outstanding, playing the majestic long pass over the top for Robben’s goal and scoring the second himself.

He will be up against three Inter Milan team-mates in the semi-final with Julio Cesar, Maicon and Lucio all playing in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Chile in Johannesburg.

It was Lucio’s central defensive partner Juan who scored Brazil’s first with a towering header from a corner in the 35th minute. Luis Fabiano added the second in the 38th minute at Ellis Park.

Robinho added a third as Brazil turned on the samba style their critics complained had been missing from previous displays. The result meant there had been at least three goals scored in all the last-16 matches played so far.

Despite an impressive performance in Johannesburg, Luis Fabiano was not taking anything for granted.

“The game was difficult and the Netherlands will be even tougher. We will have to fight in each game,” said Luis Fabiano.

Meanwhile, Brazil coach Carlos Dunga remained down to earth. “We have to improve in all sectors of our play,” Dunga said.

In Tuesday’s final batch of Round of 16 games, Paraguay play Japan in Pretoria and Spain face Portugal in Cape Town.

If those games produce enough goals it will be the first time since 1934 that each match at this stage of the tournament has had three or more goals.