Friday, July 02, 2010

Oranje overcoat...


Brazil had to wear an orange overcoat (not Dunga's duffle coat) in the second half of a very scrappy World Cup quarter final this afternoon. In Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth (home of some Ows blood) the five-times world champions were in complete control during the first half; a sublime goal by Robinho fed by an equally sublime through ball from Kaka Melo and it looked over, especially when two or three more chances went begging. The Dutch had other ideas and after a lot of pressure forced the first Brazilian own goal in 97 World Cup matches. Brazil also paid for some dirty tactics, several intentional heel-kicks from behind (Melo and Bastos particularly) were let go by the Japanese ref - who on the whole had a good game - so when the Dutch gave some back and also went unpunished (Van Brommel, how did you stay on the pitch FFS!) the Brazilians weren't ready and seemed to have no answer, more so after the own goal: the double Dutch header for their fine second goal put the panic into Brazilians even more and Melo-not-mellow soon saw red. Robben, Sneijder, Van Persie and Kuyt kept the pressure cooker on. Great fiery game. Orange flames. Dunga ash.

Update: I have just edited the post: it was Melo's through ball, not Kaka: so, Melo-not-mellow made the goal, was a fouling menace, scored an own goal and got sent off. No wonder we saw Dunga's ding-dong dug-out bashing.

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5 comments:

Paul said...

I was listening to this on the way back from a clients today. Alan Green was waxing lyrical about the 1998 Semi Final and Dennis Bergkamp's goal - trouble is that goal was in the Quarter Final, it was Patrick Kulivert who scored in the Semi. Still, it's only his job!

Span Ows said...

Just added a line about Dunga's duffel coat.

I bet it sounded good on the radio. I had it on the TV and it wa sgood, very 1970's First division as far as the "ferocity" went. Brazil just crumbled, literally, it was visible panic after going behind. Not sure whether Julio ot Melo should get the balme, GK had it covered and Melo did a good striker's job.

Name Witheld said...

Is it me or does Dunga look like he could be a relative of Suggs?

Span Ows said...

LOL! Could be the Brazilian version although "um passo além" doesn't quite invoke the same madness!

Span Ows said...

Can't disagree with that Maria! I'll check out the ones on offer.