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Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Brazil Soccer Team Trivia

No soccer team in history has surpassed the achievements of Brazil soccer team, not even their fellow Latin American teams.

Many great records had already been lined up in their history vault. As the Brazilian team continues to plow the soccer field everyday, their feats continue to add up even more.

FIFA 2014

Here are some of the facts and trivia regarding the team's success:

Brazil Soccer Team Trivia

Of all the soccer teams, Brazil is the most successful and the one and only team up to date that has participated in all the 18 World Cups since the team's beginning in the 1930's where they played a record of 92 matches, of it they won 64 games, draws 14 games and had lost 14 times only. Out of those games, they scored 201 goals, also a record. Aside from World Cup feats, they also held the record win in Confederations Cup together with France. They won two times in 1997 and 2005. The Brazilian U17 team has also set a record for winning three times in the U17 World Cup, won 2 out of 3 Panamerican Championship, a now defunct league held sometime in 1952 and 1960. The only national team that Brazil did not claim any victory is Norway. They were also the only team that had won World Cups in all continents that had been able to host the competition, except for Africa and Oceania, they were not able to host any World Cups.

Of all the seven national teams that had claimed World Cup victories, Brazil is the only team that had not won in their own home ground.

Every national team prospers everyday but it is fairly clear enough that Brazil soccer team is the trailblazer, others just follow. They were the trendsetter of the field and no one can refute it.

Brazil Soccer Team TriviaInside North Korea Tube. Duration : 46.03 Mins.


Go undercover with National Geographic correspondent Lisa Ling as she journeys into mysterious and reclusive North Korea.

Keywords: Lisa Ling, North Korea Kim, Jong, Asia, Government

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Fun Facts About Olympic Nations - Brazil

Did you know...

Brazil will host the FIFA 2014 Football World Cup.The FIFA Executive Committee has decided that South America will host the tournament. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said "The task was not easy - for us it was a real big challenge to have the same list of requirements and the same conditions for only one candidate than if we had two and perhaps we put the bar higher than if we had two. There was an extraordinary presentation by the delegation and we witnessed that this World Cup will have such a big social and cultural impact in Brazil." The World Cup is the most-watched event in the world.

FIFA 2014

In 1975, Joao Carlos de Oliveira set a new world record in the triple jump with a distance of 17,89m. He was the flag-bearer of the Brazilian Olympic team at the Games of the XXI Olympiad in Canada in 1976.

Fun Facts About Olympic Nations - Brazil

The 1963 Pan American Games were held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Bernardo Rocha de Rezende is one of the best volleyball coaches in the world. He was born in Rio de Janeiro. He once said: "After the first very important victories, the biggest problem was to overcome the changing environment around the team. If the players change their attitude, loosing the firm discipline - the winning squads suddenly disappear." In the 1970s and early 80s, Bernardo was one of the greatest volleyball players in the world such as Karch Kiraly (USA) and Oleg Alekseyevich Moliboga (USSR/Russia).

Brazil is the birthplace of Edson Arantes dos Nascimento, best known as "Pele". He is the greatest football player of all time.

Carlos Arthur Nuzman is one of the best Olympic leaders in the world. He was born on March 17, 1942 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the 1960s, he was a member of the Brazilian national volleyball team. He competed at the 1964 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo (Japan). From 1975 to 1995, he was elected president of the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation.Under his leadership, Brazil won many international titles: South American championships (15 titles), Pan American Games (1 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze medals), World Championships (2 gold, 6 silver, 5 bronze medals), Olympic Games (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze). Currently, Carlos is the president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB). In 2007, he organized the Pan American Games for the second time in Brazil. When Brazil was chosen host of the 2007 Pan American Games, Carlos Nuzman said: "It was the victory of the best project and of the best proposals. The Games 2007 are going to shape the history of Brazilian sport and we are going to work hard to realize the best Pan American Games of all time".In the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, he organized many tournaments:

-The 1977 FIVB World Youth Championship(Rio de Janeiro)
-The 1981 South American Volleyball Championship (Santo Andre)
-The 1982 Pre-World Championship (Rio de Janeiro)
-The 1983 South American Championship (Sao Paulo)
-The 1989 South American Volleyball Championship (Curitiba)
-The 1989 Girls' U 18 World Championship (Foz de Iguazu)
- The 1991 South American Championship (Sao Paulo)
-The 1993 FIVB World Youth Championship (Sao Paulo)
-The 1990 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Cup (Brasilia)
-The 1994 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship (Sao Paulo).

Robert Scheidt (sailing) was named the flag-bearer of the Brazilian Olympic team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Robert was twice Olympic champion (1996 & 2004).

This Latin American country won 13 Olympic medals from 1920 to 1972...

The Brazilian women's basketball team won the silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The players were Hortencia de Fatima Marcari Oliva, Maria Paula Goncalves da Silva, Claudia Maria Pastor, Cintia Silva Dos Santos, Silvia Andrea Santos Luz, Janet dos Santos Arcain, Martha de Souza Sobral, Alexandra Santos de Oliveira, Maria Angelica Goncalves da Silva, Ariana Aparecida dos Santos, Leila de Souza Sobral, Roseli do Carmo Gustavo.

Brazil hosted the 15th FIBA World Championship for Women in 2006. It was the fourth time the event was held in Brazil.

This South American country sent 12 swimmers to the Munich Olympic Games in 1972. They were: Ruy Aquino Oliveira, Romulo Arantes Junior, Paulo Becskehazy, Jose Diniz Aranha, Jose Sylvio Fiolo, Alfredo Carlos Machado, Antonio Rocha Azevedo, Sergio Waissmann, Paulo Zanetti, Texeira Cristina Bassani, Maria Isabel Guerra, Lucy Maurity Burle.

The Brazilian men's national basketball team won the World Championship in 1963.
Final standings:

1.Brazil
2.Yugoslavia (currently Serbia)
3.USSR (currently Russia)
4.United States
5.France
6.Puerto Rico
7.Italy
8.Argentina
9.Mexico
10.Uruguay
11.Canada
12.Peru
13.Japan

The 1963 World University Games were held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, between August 30 and September 8.

Fun Facts About Olympic Nations - BrazilInside North Korea Tube. Duration : 46.03 Mins.


Go undercover with National Geographic correspondent Lisa Ling as she journeys into mysterious and reclusive North Korea.

Tags: Lisa Ling, North Korea Kim, Jong, Asia, Government

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

South Africa 2010 - Fans Favor Brazil But the Gods Favor Italy

Firstly, I want to express that the Prediction Table and the 4 Ps are entirely the imagination and creation of this writer.

PREDICTION TABLE

FIFA 2014

BRAZIL
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 9
Providence = 8
TOTAL = 37

South Africa 2010 - Fans Favor Brazil But the Gods Favor Italy

SPAIN
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 4
Providence = 5
TOTAL = 29

PORTUGAL
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 5
Providence =5
TOTAL = 30

HOLLAND
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 6
Providence =6
TOTAL = 32

ITALY
Preparation =10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 8
Providence =10
TOTAL = 38

GERMANY
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 7
Providence =9
TOTAL = 36

ARGENTINA
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 7.5
Providence =7
TOTAL = 34.5

ENGLAND
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 6.5
Providence =7
TOTAL = 33.5

FRANCE
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 7.2
Providence = 6
TOTAL = 33.2

U.S.A
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 3
Providence = 5
TOTAL = 28

SOUTH AFRICA
Preparation = 10
Power = 10
Pedigree = 0
Providence = 5
TOTAL = 25

boldSYSTEM OF NUMBERS

YEAR 1930: YEAR NUMEROLOGY =4; HOST = URUGUAY; WINNER = URUGUAY
YEAR 1934:,, =8; HOST = ITALY; WINNER = ITALY
YEAR 1938:,, =3;HOST = FRANCE; WINNER = ITALY
YEAR 1950: 6; HOST = BRAZIL; WINNER = URUGUAY
YEAR 1954: 1; HOST = SWITZERLAND; WINNER = GERMANY
YEAR 1958: 5; HOST = SWEDEN; WINNER = BRAZIL
YEAR 1962; 9; HOST = CHILE; WINNER = BRAZIL
YEAR 1966: 4; HOST = ENGLAND; WINNER = ENGLAND
YEAR 1970: 8; HOST = MEXICO; WINNER = BRAZIL
YEAR 1974: 3; HOST = GERMANY; WINNER = GERMANY
YEAR 1978: 7; HOST = ARGENTINA; WINNER = ARGENTINA
YEAR 1982: YEAR NUMEROLOGY = 2; HOST = SPAIN; WINNER = ITALY
YEAR 1986: 6; HOST = MEXICO; WINNER = ARGENTINA
YEAR 1990: 1; HOST = ITALY; WINNER = GERMANY
YEAR 1994: 5; HOST = U.S.A; WINNER = BRAZIL
YEAR 1998: 9; HOST = FRANCE; WINNER = FRANCE
YEAR 2002: 4; HOST = KOREA/JAPAN; WINNER = BRAZIL
YEAR 2006: 8; HOST = GERMANY; WINNER = ITALY
YEAR 2010: 3; HOST = SOUTH AFRICA; WINNER =???

Explaining the Prediction Table

1. Each column for Preparation, Power, Pedigree and Power carry a maximum weight of 10

2. Assumes that all the 11 teams have made excellent preparations hence the 10 full marks for all the teams

3. Assumes that all the 11 teams have team Power, that is, excellent cohesion and understanding amongst the players

4. Pedigree - This is based on the relative depth of World Cup experience of the teams. Teams without World Cup experience (like South Africa) automatically scored zero.

5. Providence / Invisible Hand of Fate - This is a critical factor that is outside the human control of the teams. This writer recognises the fact that providence, whether induced by experience, hard work or prayers is the major thin line between life's successes and failures.

Providence may have been at play in Argentina's first goal against England in the Mexico 1986 World Cup or in England's Geoff Hurst's second goal against Germany in the 1966 World Cup finals.

For the purpose of the Prediction Table, Providence was taken as a function of the teams' World Cup experiences. Consequently, teams like Spain, Portugal, U.S.A and South Africa - that have either not won the World Cup or have not even yet played in the World Cup - were compensated were 5 marks each.

Explaining the System of Numbers
Beneath the Prediction Table is the System of Numbers Table. The figures in the 'Year Numerology' column is the sum of the individual numbers in the 'Year' column. That is, Year 1930 = Year Numerology of 1+9+3+0 = 4

So, the 'Year Numerology' of Year 2010 = 2+0+1+0 = 3

Looking at the table closely, the only previous World Cup years with 'Year Numerology' of 3 are Years 1938 and 1974 which Italy and Germany respectively triumphed.

Italy, in particular, seems set for an encore as the country won it in a numerology of 8 (1934) and successfully retained the Cup the next World Cup year (1938) with a Year numerology of 3!

Italy won it in 2006 with a numerology of 8 and now, the next World Cup year of 2010 also has a numerology of 3! Going by these game of numbers, Italy is strongly favoured by the gods to win and retain the World Cup.

Or, are all these mere coincidences? No, this writer does not think so. History has a sequential pattern of repeating itself - even though no country has successfully defended the World Cup since 1970. That is 30 good years ago. 30 = 3+0 = 3! That is some 40 years ago!

Now the year 1970 has a numerology of 1+9+7+0 = 17 = 1+7 = 8.
Add 40 years to 8 = 48 = 4+8 = 12 = 1+2 = 3!Everything comes back to 3 again!

However, the only strong hand of providence for Brazil lies in the fact that, at least, in the last 16 years (1990 - 2006), Brazil has always won the cup when the hosting was outside the shores of Europe or South America. Brazil won in 1994 in U.S.A and in 2002 in South Korea / Japan.

If the Prediction Table is anything to go by, Brazil may have to eat humble pie and wait till 2014 to host and win. But, Year 2014 has a numerology of 7 which is only unique to Argentina. So, Argentina may likely win in Brazil 2014!

South Africa, backed by strong preparation and a vociferous home base support, is tipped by this writer to reach the last 8. Other African countries will not go beyond the 1st round,or at most, the second round.

Meanwhile, as they say, ''let the games begin'' and may Italy win again, says the gods.

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Friday, September 17, 2010

Who Are the Favourites For the FIFA World Cup 2010 - Don't Bet on Brazil Winning the Tournament

The 2010 Football World cup could be your opportunity to go beyond your comfort zone and open new accounts with other bookmakers. This could earn you free bets, and make your chances of winning increase. You will have the opportunity to better your knowledge of the World Cup betting market, and gain more competitive World Cup odds. This is the biggest football event in the world. Football fans all over the world are placing bets on the teams or players they think will win. Do your homework. Check out the teams that will be playing and find the teams or players that you are willing to bet on.

Research can be very helpful. According to the the bookmakers Ladbrokes Spain is a favorite to win the Fifa World Cup, Brazil comes in second on their list. Other candidates that are considered to win are England, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Holland, Portugal, and France. Country that have the longest odds are North Korea, Honduras, and New Zealand.

Some other major bookmakers are William Hill, and Sports betting. A lot of bookmakers believe that Spain has the best team players. So how accurate are these odds? In the 2006 world cup Brazil was a definite favorite but failed the game early on. The same happened in 2002, and 1998. This goes to show that you must find out for yourself.

Just because a group of people choose a favorite team does not mean that team is going to win. Look at the teams ability to work together, their key players, and their overall performance on the field. Taking a better look at some of the key players in the FIFA World Cup series 2010. Geoff Hurst believes Wayne Rooney is an important member of the England team if they are to have a realistic chance of winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa this summer. Rooney is considered one of the top players in the world, and England knows it.

Lionel Messi from Argentina is also a key player for his team to have a chance of winning the world cup. He started playing when he was 18 and has continued to show what a great athlete he is. An older player named Gianluigi Buffon is considered an outstanding player. His skills are still top-notch and even though he is older then most he will be an important player for Italy. Bastian Schweinsteiger plays for Germany. He is considered one of the countries back bone players. His aggression on the field makes him a key player.

There are many players that are not getting the recognition they deserve this year. Kaka from the Brazlian team has not had much publicity on the betting scene even though he is one of the most famous and expensive footballers in the world. His goal scoring is excellent, within 22 Real Madrid appearances he has scored eight times. While the big money might be going on strikers, it is possible that Kaka could make a real impact at the World Cup.

Kaka scored a vital 82nd minute winner for Real Madrid at Real Zaragoza to keep their La Liga hopes alive. During the Fifa World Cup Kaka may be a player to consider following. Betting on the FIFA World Cup is a wise choice, but the teams and players you bet on make all the difference. Take your time picking your favorites. Consider the teams overall achievements, and their players abilities before placing your bets. This years World Cup will be a gold mine for those who bet wisely.

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Friday, September 10, 2010

World Cup 2014 - Can Brazil Host It?

In 2003 FIFA pronounced the World Cup will be in South America, under its new rotation system (which begins in South Africa in 2010). The last time the World Cup was hosted in South America was in Argentina in 1978.

However, mistrust started unnerving in September 2006, with Brazil's president admitting the country did not have the stadiums to host the event.

Brazil was the only country on the continent which said it wanted to hold the event and why not? They have plenty of space, many live out of football and a possibility of many investors.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said his country will need to build at least 12 FIFA approved new stadiums if it plans on hosting the 2014 World Cup. "We don't have any stadium which is in a condition to host World Cup games," Lula said during a speech. "We're going to have to build at least 12 new stadiums in this country."

Far be it from us to question a president, but surely a couple of Brazil's existing stadiums could be renovated sometime during the next six years. We also wonder how he came up with the number 12? While Germany had 12 stadiums in 2006, South Africa will have 10 venues in 2010.

The stadiums are only a part of the equation. Anyone who has lived through a World Cup can tell you that the investment in infrastructure to support the visitors is tremendous. They will plough money into infrastructure, accommodation, travel, tourism and facilities to cater for this.

Flights and accommodation will have to be increased dramatically, as well to supply for the influx of people that will be coming from all over the world!!! We are surely looking at a few hundred thousand alone each week? Also, this will draw in a lot of overseas investors and companies into Brazil, as well as real estate investors who ride on the backs of big worldwide events like this!!!

Now, we believe it is possible for this Billion dollar investment to take place, their economy has been
pretty steady the past years, but top official says Brazil is more than a year behind schedule in its construction projects for the 2014 football World Cup.

The president of SINAENCO, a Brazilian architectural and engineering association, says the government must improve its efforts or risk losing investment and the chance at hosting future events.

"Brazil is more than a year behind," Jose Roberto Bernasconi said recently at SINAENCO's annual meeting. "The authorities have to get involved." Bernasconi says the World Cup will "promote Brazil and attract more investment in the future." But all that is at risk if construction deadlines are not met.

Brazil hosted the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro last year without major glitches. Brazil is bidding for the 2016 Olympics, which also would take place in Rio, therefore they are looking forward in getting back full or even investment at long term. Looks pretty simple on paper, yet better tangible.

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Thursday, July 22, 2010

History of Soccer in Brazil

History of soccer in Brazil began during the late 19th century when the game of soccer was introduced to the country. Since its introduction, it has never wavered as the nation's top sport of all time. The Brazilians fell in love with the game and the rest is history as they say. During 1888, in the city of Sau Paulo, the very first sports club was formed. It was named as the Sau Paulo Athletics Club and then soccer was thoroughly introduced to people. After some years, 1914 to be exact, the Brazilian Football Confederation was established and soccer became a popular and nationwide sport that displayed fun for the Brazilians.

When one talks of Brazil, one of the most common things that come to mind is soccer. The sea of yellow among the crowd in the World Cup has almost been a constant reminder of Brazil's greatness and historical richness when it comes to the sport. Today's players like Ronaldo, Rivario. Rivaldo and Ronaldinho emerged from the inspirations of their country's all-time greats. Their goal for today is to match the greatness that their predecessors have created throughout the years.

Soccer's impact on Brazil reflected on their culture. The majority of children in Brazil grew up playing with a soccer ball and idolizing soccer superstars from their own backyard. One of these superstars is Pele. Pele is arguably the best soccer player to have ever played the game and the most recognizable soccer figure during his prime and even after it. Pele helped Brazil to win World Cups and soccer definitely put Brazil on the world map. The history of soccer in Brazil summarizes the people's passion, dedication and love for the sport, more than any other country in the world.

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FIFA World Cup - Brazil

In 1950, Brazil hosted the World Cup and the soccer loving nation were fully behind their heroes, who at the time played in a white shirt with blue collar. Going into the final match, which was decided by a league format as opposed to a stand-alone match, Brazil only needed a draw to clinch the trophy whilst rivals Uruguay had to win.

As so often happens in football, the team that needs to win invariably finds that extra level of desire and hunger as Uruguay shocked the Maracana stadium by snatching a 2-1 victory. It is said that some part of the Brazilian psyche has never recovered from this crushing defeat and even though they have tasted glory on the world stage five times since, there are still more Brazil soccer.books about this tournament than any of the tournaments they won.

An attempt to put this tragedy behind them, Brazil set about finding a new soccer uniform and it was then they took to wearing the world famous strip they wear today. Brazil burst back onto the world stage in 1958 when inspired by the 18 year old Pele, Brazil lifted the World Cup in Sweden. Four years later, they triumphed again but their biggest triumph was to come in 1970.

There are very few soccer historians who will argue with quality and strength of the Brazil 1970 World Cup squad. Perhaps it is helped by the color television footage of the tournament but some of the goals they scored on their way to winning the final 4-1 against Italy were phenomenal. Pele had his third World Cup winners medal and all of the world fell in love with Brazilian soccer.

The following decades were a low point for the national team at the World Cup although the 1982 team could have won the trophy if they knew how to defend. The 1982 team took the style of attacking football to the extreme and although they were eventually outdone by Italy and Paulo Rossi, many soccer fans fell in love with Brazil once again.

The 1994 World Cup wasn't too exciting and the final was largely forgettable but for the Brazilian fans who witnessed the team clinch their fourth world title in a penalty shoot-out couldn't have cared less. Brazil also made it to the final in 1998 but were limp and insipid against France as the host nation ran out 3-0 victors and there were serious doubts placed over whether Ronaldo would return to his best.

These doubts were blown away four years later when the striker was the top scorer in the 2002 World Cup, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Germany which saw the South American nation take their fifth World Cup. There obviously has to be a number of teams at the World Cup to make it worth watching but for many people, it wouldn't be a without Brazil.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Brazil in the FIFA World Cup

FIFA, which stands for Federation Internationale de Football Association was founded in the year 1904. Today it is known as Football world cup. The competition is held between the national football teams of the countries who are the members of FIFA. The history of the FIFA World Cups till date will be incomplete if Brazil is taken out from it. The matches played by the country have created sensation and have taken the standard of the tournament to a new high. Though the game was started by the English but this is also a fact that the Brazilians have given it a new definition.

Till date seven countries have won the champion's title till date. Out of these seven countries Brazil is the only country who has participated in all the tournaments and has also been the winner for five times. Besides being the winner for five times, Brazil has reached till semi-finals in three tournaments and also became the vice champion in two.

As Brazil is the only country to have participated in all the FIFA World Cup tournaments till date, the is fondly called "The Little Canary" by its fans. In the following tournament which is to be held in 2010 in South Africa, Brazil team will be a big challenge to all the other teams, as the team has really worked hard and improved its game even better. It is in full josh to face the challenge.

The 2014 FIFA world cup tournaments are decided to be held in Brazil itself. The country has hosted the tournament previously in 1950, when it reached till final but lost to Uruguay in the finals. The country won the bid for 2014's tournament against the other countries like Argentina, Colombia and Chile. The decision has given nightmares to the other teams as it will be a real tough job to defeat such a strong team on their homeland.

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Friday, July 9, 2010

Golden Ball press conference – live streaming


Golden Ball press conference – live streaming
AFP
FIFA will announce the list of ten contenders for the South Africa 2010 Golden Ball award at 12.00 today and you can follow the announcement live on video on FIFA.com.
The list has been selected by FIFA's Technical Study Group and will be revealed at a press conference featuring FIFA General Secretary Jérôme Valcke and adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer.
Oliver Kahn, the Golden Ball winner from Korea/Japan 2002 and the only goalkeeper ever to collect the award, as well as TSG member Kalusha Bwalya will only be on a press conference afterwards.
Previous Winners|2006 : Zinédine Zidane (FRA)
2002 : Oliver Kahn (GER)
1998 : Ronaldo (BRA)
1994 : Romário (BRA)
1990 : Salvatore Schillaci (ITA)
1986 : Diego Maradona (ARG)
1982 : Paolo Rossi (ITA)

Friday, July 2, 2010

Van Marwijk: Not afraid of Brazil


Van Marwijk: Not afraid of Brazil
Getty Images
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk says he is confident the Oranje will prevail over five-time champions Brazil in Friday's FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final. The Netherlands go into this last-eight clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium having won their first four matches in South Africa, but face their toughest test yet in the shape of Dunga's A Seleção.
Van Marwijk, who assumed control of the Netherlands team after UEFA EURO 2008, told a pre-match press conference: "Brazil are favourites for the World Cup, but we've proven we can also beat this type of opponent. I am fully confident of that.
"My team are absolutely ready, you can sense the excitement among the players. They know they are facing a very important match, they are fully focused. We are not afraid of them. We're realistic, we know Brazil are a good strong team with a number of weapons like speed and turning around a game, but I know we can win this match."
He suggested one of the keys to a Dutch success over Brazil was that they stuck by their own style of play. "It's important to play your own game against Brazil, and not go along with their play," he said. "Look at the Ivory Coast [who lost 3-1 to Brazil in the group stage]. They played very defensively, and lost. That's not the way they are supposed to play. We can't afford to make any mistakes, we've got to be very careful."
It's important to play your own game against Brazil, and not go along with their play.
Bert van Marwijk, Netherlands coach
Captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst suggested that even though the Dutch had won all their matches en route to the quarter-final, improvement was needed to prevail in Port Elizabeth. "We deserved to win all our games, although we won them not playing 'beautiful' football," he said. "We are capable of playing better than we've shown so far and I hope we can show that against Brazil. We hope to improve and win this game."
At EURO 2008 the Netherlands excelled in the first round only to fall flat against Russia in the quarter-finals. Reflecting on the lessons learned from that failed campaign, Van Marwijk said: "At EURO 2008 we played two or three good matches but we also conceded a lot of chances. When I became coach I said very clearly that I wanted to teach the team to defend better. That starts with the strikers; that way you can rely on the defence."
Van Bronckhorst insisted that even though Brazil held the FIFA World Cup bragging rights over them, having beaten the Dutch in both 1994 and 1998, Friday's game was a different matter.
"1994 and 1998 are in the past, we want to win this World Cup. We are confident of beating Brazil, we will go out tomorrow and do everything to win this game. The atmosphere in this team is very good. We're a tight group, it's always good to be on the pitch with a team that you can trust. We all believe we can win this World Cup."