Brazil have a habit of dumping the dutch out of the world cup but striker dirk kuyt believes they can get the better of the south american giants this time
Brazil have a habit of dumping the Dutch out of the world cup but striker Dirk Kuyt believes they can get the better of the South American giants this time
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| Dirk Kuyt (left) and Wesley Sneijder celebrate a goal against Slovakia on Monday. PIC/AFP |
Netherlands will be nervous when they face their biggest nemesis in World Cups, Brazil. The Dutch, whose best performance on the biggest stage has been two runners-up finishes in the 1974 and 1978 editions, have since managed to progress from the round of 16, since it's introduction in '86, only twice. And on both occasions they were ousted by Brazil.
In USA 1994 they lost 3-2 to current South African manager Carlos Alberto Parreira's Brazil at the same stage. In France 1998 they looked promising after beating Argentina in the quarter finals but Guus Hiddick's Oranje army lost in the semi finals on penalty shootouts.
Coach Bert van Marwijk will be aware of the Samba jinx and will need his Dutch stars to have the right resolve and frame of mind to do the job this time. Will Netherlands' fortunes change this time?
Dirk Kuyt seems to think so."We can't wait to play against them and we want to convince the world that we can beat a team like Brazil," Kuyt told the Press Association.
"I think we have a chance against every team in the world. We're always convinced of our own qualities. So far we've won every game in qualification and every game in the tournament, so it couldn't be any better. There's only one thing that counts now ufffdwinning games, and that's what we've done.
"We know we can improve ufffd that's the spirit of this team. We've won four games and now we just want to win the fifth as well."
