It won't be easy for Brazil to win against the Netherlands on Friday afternoon. The Brazilian media are saying that their boys in yellow shirts are playing a strong team in the South African World Cup for the first time. But it might be fear that beats the Dutch squad.
The Netherlands is being praised in the Brazilian media: "Attacking play, looking out for a chance to score. That is why Brazilians like Dutch football," says Frank Fortes, editor-in-chief of the Brazilian radio station Band Esportes.
Jogo bonito
In Brazil playing against the Dutch is synonymous with ‘jogo bonito’ (good football). The Brazilian admiration for Dutch players began in 1974, when the Netherlands beat Brazil. Since then the Dutch team has been known as 'Laranja Mecânica' (Clockwork Orange).
But their faith in their own national team is greater than their admiration of the Dutch. Yahoo Brazil's football columnist Sergio Rizzo, thinks the current Dutch team is scared of the yellow shirts:
"In the match in 1974, the Dutch team was stronger than Brazil. That is, until the Orange team took a good look at the boys in yellow shirts and realised that they had already won their previous three games. The sight of such a strong opponent put fear in the hearts of the Dutch players.”
Yellow shirt factor
Mr Fortes admits it will be a difficult game for the Brazilian team. But the faith in the Brazilian tradition of 'winning again and again’ will prevail.
"In World Cup history, whenever the two countries have faced each other, Brazil has scored more goals that the Netherlands. That happened in France in 1998 and in the United States in 1994."
Mr Rizzo gives two reasons why the Netherlands lost twice to Brazil: "The yellow shirt factor, or in other words 'fear’. And the lack of tactics to beat Brazil."
The Brazilians are certainly worried about playing the Dutch, because they know the Dutch team has good players. Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder are singled out for extra praise.
"Robben is unbelievable, the best player in the Dutch team," says Felipe Santana, correspondent for SporTV in the Netherlands. And Sneijder is one of the best midfielders.
Mr Rizzo expect the Dutch attack to be strong. If Robben comes up with surprise tactics, the Netherlands can win, he thinks.
"In Brazil, Robben is revered, but his goals are very predictable. The Netherlands could win if, for example, Robben and some of his teammates play in a different position."
Keep calm
The Orange team has good strikers, but its defence is not very good. The yellow shirts are stronger and that is why Brazil will win.
But Mr Rizzo begs to differ. He believes that both teams are equally good. He thinks the Dutch could win:
"To win, the Orange team has to keep calm for the first 15 minutes. It’s just 11 against 11. The Brazilians may be wearing yellow shirts, but the Dutch should not be afraid. Even the boys in yellow shirts can lose."
Orange juice
The Brazilians say they are going to make orange juice from the Dutch team, and the Brazilian media are looking forward to an exciting game.
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That didn't pan out like brasil hoped.
I TOLD YOU, DANIELA STEFANO.................HAHAHAHAHA...THE BEASTY SAMBAS CHEATING TACTICS DID NOT WORK...
IT IS THE ORANJE WHO ARE ENJOYING THE LEMONADE....GOD IS WITH THE ORANJE...
If the article has some validity, the Dutch should win tomorrow. The Brazilians will not be playing in their customary yellow.
If the article has some validity, the Dutch should be the winner tomorrow. The Brazilians will not be playing in their customary yellow!
Johann Cruyff claims the Brazilians have adopted a too great an emphasis on more defence in their football, this is just trying to play "head games" with Brazil. If anything, this should strengthen Brazil's game. If anyone is all too worried about the propaganda game with childish names and games such 'orange juice", then why hasn't anyone in the Dutch media come up with some other silly retort such as "cracking Brazil nuts" or some such silliness. This match could well be decided on a mistake made by either side at a critical moment, not the bravado of media machines, England being an excellent case in point.
Wow, you where dead on with this one.
A great biased article saying some truthful facts about the brazilian and the Dutch team. Praising the beast is not motivating. Praise the Oranje so that they become a beast.
Though, I am astounded that RNW has allowed this kind of article to demoralise their Dutch team and people. The Oranje need your faith, support and cheers and not these kind of articles. I am very disappointed by this take on tomorrow's match. And please do not delete my reaction, as you did before.
Daniela Stefano, not a good way to get excited about your home team, though I appreciate your patriotism towards Brazil. However, to give the verdict before the trial, shows that infact Brazil are scared of the Dutch team, so the media frenzy to terrorise the Dutch with the fear factor. Fears can be conquered, and with the Taurean Bert in command, the Dutch team do not have to fear the Yellow shirts. Still, I won't say before the match that the Dutch team are going to make lemonade out of the Brazilian team, but it might be true. Anyways, it is going to be an exciting match.
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