Babel: Dutch will turn on style v Brazil
Reuters - Tuesday 29 June 2010, 15:27
JOHANNESBURG - Netherlands should finally
be able to show off their true style when they face top ranked
Brazil in the World Cup quarter-finals, winger Ryan Babel said
on Tuesday after growing criticism back home of dull play.
The Dutch, despite winning all four games they have played
in the tournament, have been criticised by fans and media for
not showing their usual attacking flair.
Babel said the main focus was winning and the team's lack of
flair was more about their opponents than them. This should
change in Friday's game against free-scoring Brazil at the
Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
"I think it is always difficult to play against teams that
don't want to play football, who are waiting for you," Babel
said a day after Netherlands beat Slovakia 2-1 in the last 16.
"We play our better games against teams that want to play
football as well and, on Friday, Brazil is not going to wait so
maybe we can play better than yesterday."
An early strike by winger Arjen Robben, in his first start
after injury, set Netherlands on their way and Wesley Sneijder
slotted a second before a late consolation goal for Slovakia.
Netherlands topped Group E after wins against Denmark, Japan
and Cameroon.
Babel said the team was not paying attention to critics.
"We don't really take any interest in that kind of
criticism. At the end when we win the tournament, nobody will
talk about the style of football that we have been using."
Coach Bert van Marwijk said five-time champions Brazil would
be quick to punish any mistakes "so it's really important to not
lose the ball, let's say, in the axis of the field."
Brazil are also unbeaten so far in South Africa, crushing
their first knockout round opponent Chile 3-0 on Monday.
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