SOUTH AFRICA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - WORLD CUP 2010: Brazil and Dutch fans arrive for World Cup clash

Record ID: 454745

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - WORLD CUP 2010: Brazil and Dutch fans arrive for World Cup clash
  • Date: 3rd July 2010
  • Summary: PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA (JULY 02, 1020) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF ARRIVALS TERMINAL AT PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT BRAZILIAN FANS VARIOUS OF BRAZILIAN FANS ARRIVING AND DANCING BRAZIL 1994 WORLD CUP WINNER BEBETO TAKING PICTURES (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN 1994 WORLD CUP WINNER, BEBETO, SAYING: "I think the technical level has gone down. The World Cup now is below the standards from the time I have played. Technically the World Cup is weak. Physical conditioning is prevailing now. Unfortunately physical preparation is overcoming technique. What we see now is a lot of running and not much technique." VARIOUS OF BRAZILIAN FANS (SOUNDBITE) (English) GAETANO LAPS, BRAZILIAN FAN SAYING: "We are going to make three goals and Holland will not make none today, 3-0. Luis Fabiano is going to make two and Robinho one." (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) MARIO DELADA, BRAZILIAN FAN SAYING: "Today we are going to have a tough game but obviously I expect Brazil to win probably 2-1. But its going to be tough, Robben is a really good player and we have to be careful with him." VARIOUS OF DUTCH FANS ARRIVING (SOUNDBITE) (Dutch) MARTIN JANSEN, DUTCH FAN SAYING: "I am very excited because Holland made it so far already and we a have a great game ahead of us with Brazil. Every game now is a final. I think our team plays very controlled and we have a good chance to go all the way." (SOUNDBITE) (English) WILLY DAKOZE FROM USA, DUTCH FAN SAYING: "We have won all our games so far and I think we are going in the tournament and I think today Brazil is going to bring out the best of us. Should be a good game either way." CLOSE FAN
  • Embargoed: 18th July 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA5HK7V4GBII8VLND6EB9KV9NG2
  • Story Text: World Cup winner Bebeto says technical level in 2010 is weaker than in the past as Brazilian and Dutch fans gather ahead of their quarterfinal against the Netherlands.
    Fans trickled into Port Elizabeth on Friday (July 02) ahead of a crucial clash between Brazil and Netherlands that will see one side bow out of the 2010 World Cup.
    The five times World Cup champions Brazil beat Netherlands 3-2 in the quarter-finals at the 1994 World Cup and on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the semi-finals four years later.
    Former Brazilian player and World Cup winner Bebeto, who scored the second goal against the Dutch 16 years ago in Dallas, arrived in Port Elizabeth for the game and said that the football being played now is not as good as in his playing days.
    "I think the technical level has gone down. The World Cup now is below the standards from the time I have played. Technically the World Cup is weak. Physical conditioning is prevailing now. Unfortunately physical preparation is overcoming technique. What we see now is a lot of running and not much technique," said the 46 year old Bebeto.
    Netherlands have their sights set on lifting the trophy themselves but face a tactical dilemma for this quarter-final against a team that has mercilessly punished their opponents, whatever their approach.
    Brazil fans are optimistic about the their chances of heading to semifinal despite challenges from the threat from Dutch best player Arjen Robben.
    "We are going to make three goals and Holland will not make none today, 3-0. Luis Fabiano is going to make 2 and Robinho 1," said Gaetano Laps from Brazil.
    "Today we are going to have a tough game but obviously I expect Brazil to win probably 2-1. Buts its going to be tough, Robben is a really good player and we have to be careful with him," said Mario Delada.
    Netherlands have won all four of their matches and Robben's early goal on his return from injury in their 2-1 win over Slovakia has given the team a major lift.
    They have endured criticism about dull play but winger Ryan Babel insisted the Dutch had so far faced opponents who had used negative tactics and Brazil's attacking flair would bring the best out of them.
    Their fans are bracing for a tough match.
    "I am very excited because Holland made it so far already and we a have a great game ahead of us with Brazil. Every game now is a final. I think our team plays very controlled and we have a good chance to go all the way," said Martin Jansen a Dutch fan.
    "We have won all our games so far and I think we are going in the tournament and I think today Brazil is going to bring out the best of us. Should be a good game either way," said Willy Dakoze, a Dutch fan from the United States.
    Brazilian coach Dunga, who has complained about previous opponents shutting up shop when facing the five times world champions, said he expected a more positive approach from the Dutch.
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