Sneijder dishes out hair-raising performance in the Netherlands' 2-1 win over favourites Brazil
Sneijder dishes out hair-raising performance in the Netherlands' 2-1 win over favourites BrazilThere was only one name on the lips of the thousands of Dutch supporters here yesterday and that was Wesley Sneijder after the Inter Milan star fired Holland into the World Cup semi-finals.
|
| Holland's Wesley Sneijder celebrates his goal against Brazil yesterday. Pic/Getty Images |
Sneijder's second half header in The Netherlands' 2-1 win over Brazil took the playmaker's tally in South Africa to three, after his goals against Slovakia in the last 16 and Japan in the closing group game.
The man of the match, reflecting on his crucial header, said: "This was my first header here, I don't think it will happen again, but it was great. The ball slipped on my bald head and went into the net, a great feeling."
The 26-year-old added: "If you can eliminate Brazil, one of the best teams in this championship the first feeling is relief, we always believed in it.
"Brazil have a strong defence but nonetheless we scored two goals. We did a great job -- just so happy going on to the semis, it's a moment to savour -- from tomorrow we will concentrate on the semi-final."
Holland went into the break trailing 1-0 and Sneijder disclosed the conversation in the dressing room at half-time had been tense.
"At the break we said to each other we really had to improve things and put more pressure on the Brazil defence. For the last 45 minutes we went full throttle and we were rewarded for it."
Now Sneijder and Co march on to a semi-final with either Ghana or Uruguay, while Brazil head back to inevitable recriminations from their demanding fans and press.
Key Moments
>>u00a010th minute: Felipe Melo dissects the Dutch defence with a cutting through ball from midfield. Robinho times his run to perfection and gets in between the centre-backs before latching on to the loose ball and pushing it pastu00a0 Stekelenburg.
>> 53rd minute: Sneijder floats in a cross from the right with his left foot that Julio Cesar and Felipe Melo both go for but the keeper misses the ball and it deflects of Melo's head into the net.
>> 68th minute: Robben's corner meets Dirk Kuyt at the nearpost and he flicks it onto the head ofu00a0 Sneijder who directs it into the net from just yards out.
How they faredRobben: Did not score but was a constant menace on the right flank. The Bayern Munich winger drew innumerable fouls from the Brazilian defence. Left back Bastos and even his substitute Gilberto Melo could not contain the Bayern Munich winger.
Robinho: Looked dangerous throughout. Scored the opening goal and set up teammates on various occasions but they could not finish of their chances. Was lively throughout and his inter passing with Kaka and Fabiano was simply excellent.
