July 2, 2010
In the day's first match, Brazil will play the Netherlands(荷兰) at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth. Some are calling this game worthy of a World Cup final(决赛). Both teams seem to be in top form(竞技状态很好) ahead of the game.
The Dutch(荷兰人) have won all four of their World Cup matches so far, and Brazil coach Dunga describes them as a very difficult opponent(对手) to play against. He says they are a solid team with technical quality and their style of soccer is very similar to South American football.
Brazil is one of four South American teams to reach the final eight(八强).
The five-time World Cup champions will be without midfielder(中场) Elano, who scored(进球) in each of Brazil's first two matches. He has been ruled out(排除……的可能性) of the game against the Netherlands after bruising(碰伤) a bone in his right ankle during a victory over Ivory Coast(科特迪瓦). But, the Brazilians have so much talent and depth that Elano's absence is not expected to have much impact. They have won three matches and drawn(平手) with Portugal(葡萄牙), and are coming off a convincing three-nil victory over South American rival(对手) Chile(智利).
The winner of the Brazil-Netherlands match will face either Ghana(加纳) or Uruguay(乌拉圭) in the semifinals(半决赛). Those teams meet in Friday's second quarterfinal(四分之一决赛) at Soccer City Stadium here in Johannesburg.