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Mirror images
Semifinal foes Brazil, Netherlands are extremely similar
Posted: Monday July 06, 1998 10:42 AM
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Brazil, led by Ronaldo, has scored more goals at the World Cup than any other team (AP) |
MARSEILLE, France (AP) --
In art, style and history, Brazil and the
Netherlands
went to the same school. The two World Cup semifinalists are
practically a mirror image. They have in common a relentless attack, a
patient, ball-control midfield, a suspect defense -- even a missing lineman
on the same side of the field. And, not least, a reverence for the
Old Masters, from Johan Cruyff to Pele. Ronaldo and Dennis Bergkamp
will lead their teams Tuesday night in Marseille, the latest chapter of a
rivalry rich in history, grudges and a tradition of soccer artistry.
"We are the teams that have presented the best football in the Cup so
far," said Brazilian coach Mario Zagallo. "This will be lion eating lion."
The Netherlands, perhaps the best team never to win a World Cup,
hopes to build on its 2-1 victory over Argentina in
the quarterfinals and dispatch the remaining South American team.
The Orange had their best game of the Cup against Argentina. They showed
no sign of a second-half wilt and capped the game with a show-stopping goal
by Bergkamp in the final minute. The Dutch also have a score to
settle with the four-time Cup champions. Brazil knocked them out of the
1994 Cup quarterfinals with a 3-2 win. "We know Brazil, Brazil knows
us," says Dutch coach Guus Hiddink. "It will be an interesting contest."
If the team's go-to player is unquestionably Bergkamp, Brazilians
also single out striker Patrick Kluivert for special attention, as well as
playmakers Clarence Seedorf and Edgar Davids. "Kluivert and Bergkamp
are very strong," admitted Leonardo, Kluivert's teammate on AC Milan. "They
can do a lot of damage at any moment."
Bergkamp has energized the Dutch squad, driving it to the semifinals with his play | |
But the Dutch defense is at
best shaky. Star fullback Jaap Stam has been a disappointment. And the left
side of the line is a hole -- starter Arthur Numan was expelled against
Argentina, and his replacement Winston Bogarde broke his leg. "We're
teams with the same style," says Brazil's team coordinator Zico. "They play
on the attack, always looking for the victory, and run risks like any team
that plays to win." Not a bad portrait of Brazil, which has scored
13 goals this Cup and let in five -- the best attack and the worst defense
of any team in the Final Four. Brazil has its own momentum going,
after a 4-1 thrashing of Chile and a
gripping 3-2 win over Denmark in the
quarterfinals. Against Denmark, Ronaldo revealed his talent as
playmaker, passing for two goals and showing a newfound mobility. Rivaldo
also seems more at home in his new midfield slot and scored a pair of
goals. In a sign of Brazil's versatility, four players are tied for scoring
honors with three goals apiece. But the defense, as usual, is a
question mark. Right wing defender Cafu drew his second yellow card
against Denmark and will sit out against the Dutch. Aldair, Leonardo and
Roberto Carlos have one yellow each and will be cautious not to risk a
second that would scratch them from the final. Cafu's replacement is
Ze Carlos, an obscure defender from Sao Paulo who will make his Cup debut.
Until now, he was known mainly for his talent for animal imitations.
"I told Ze Carlos that since he can imitate dogs, parrots and owls, now
he'll imitate Cafu," Zagallo joked. Zagallo has his own motivation
to beat the Dutch. He was coach in the 1974 Cup, when Brazil lost 2-0 in
the semifinals to Cruyff and the great "Clockwork Orange" team. It was his
only failure to win a Cup in five tries. Still, Zagallo admits a
bond with the country that gave the world one of its last great expressions
of "art soccer." He even picked the Dutch as a candidate to win the Cup.
Crossing paths again was written in the stars, he says.
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