The 36,000 spectators of the Serra Dourada Stadium were disappointed throughout the first half of the game. The Selecao offered a poor football with little occasions of goals. Ramires scored after 12 minutes, but the goal was refused because of an unclear outside position. The first real moment of excitement came at the 22nd minute when Julio Cesar made a beautiful save on in front of Affelay. Brazil’s second chance came at the 30th minute on a shoot by Ramirez that ended over the goal post.
The second half offered a better spectacle with a team more offensive but still no goals. Mano Menezes must have had a few words with his players during the break as right from the start of the second half Brazil showed a different Football. First Neymar then Robinho, tried to score the goal that the 36,000 were waiting for. Then it was Lucio and Thiago Silva who took their chances, but still without success.
As if a goalless result wasn’t enough, the Selecao ended with one player down. 10 minutes before the end of the game, Ramires was booked with a second yellow card and therefore sent off. The game ended on a deserved draw and with more questions then answers for the Selecao.
Mano Menezes has now a few issues he must address. First is Fred the right man? The player from Fluminense had a terrible match and missed a given goal. Without surprise the fans asked for his substitution throughout the game.
Then there is the question of the midfield. With the lack of a number 10 to control the midfield, it seemed that there was no link between the defenders and the attacks.
And finally, can the Selecao rely only on Neymar to score goals? Menezes needs to find more options in the front, in case the young star, like tonight, is in a bad day.
Summary of the game:
Shots at the goal:
Holland: 10
Brazil: 13
Possession: Brazil 54%, Holland 46%
90" Final whistle. Brazil and Holland drew 0-0. The Selecao will play next Tuesday against Romania in Sao Paulo for Ronaldo’s last game with the National Team.
83" Substitution: Adriano (barcelona) for Andre Santos.
78" Red card for Ramires. The Chelsea player is booked with a second yellow card after a foul on Robben.
76" Fred, booed by the public leaves the field and Leandro Damiao takes his place.
70" Brazil is finally playing their game with Neymar and Lucas taking the spaces.
63" Elano goes out and is replaced by Lucas. Lucas Leiva is substituted by Sandro.
63" Substitution for Holland : Huntelaar for Van Persie
60" Brazil plays a better football in the second half with Robinho and Elano recentered in the midfield.
57" Krul stops a shot by Lucio.
55" Fred alone in front in the box manages to miss the goal.
50" Neymar is more and more dangerous for the Dutch defence.
49" the spectators shout Lucas’s name, the star from São Paulo FC is still on the bench.
46" Start of the second half. After 50 seconds Neymar nearly scored.
45" end of the first half. A poor game by the Selecao who is booed by the spectators.
41" Yellow card for Heitinga after a contact with Daniel Alves
37" Yellow card for Ramires
34" Ramires dribbles and shoots, but the ball goes over the goals.
30" Yellow card for Van der Wiel
27" Afellay shoots from outside the box but Julio Cesar makes a good save.
26" Neymar shoots over Krul’s goals.
21" Afellay is alone in front of Julio Cesar but the goalkeeper wins the dual.
17" Julio Cesar stops a shot by Kuyt, on what his Holland’s first occasion.
12" Ramires scores but the he is called outside and the goal is not validated.
7" First occasion for Brasil, Elano shot is stopped by Holland’s defence.
1" Contact between De Jong and Ramires, the brazilian has some difficulties to stand up.
0" the game starts.
0" Julio César ; Daniel Alves, Lúcio [cap], Thiago Silva, André Santos; Lucas Leiva, Ramires, Elano, Robinho;Neymar, Fred
0" the two teams walk on the pitch
0" First game on brazilian’s soil as the National Team coach for Mano Menezes.
0" The stadium is full.
0" Lucio celebrates his 100 game for the National Team.
