Brazil, Netherlands qualify for World Cup quarterfinals

Brazil, Netherlands qualify for WCup quarterfinals

JOHANNESBURG — Make way for the Oranje and the Samba Kings in the World Cup quarterfinals.

The Netherlands and Brazil advanced comfortably Monday, while anger simmered over refereeing blunders and FIFA’s refusal to adopt video technology to eliminate them.

Brazil brushed aside Chile 3-0 at Ellis Park as it pushes for a sixth title, while the Netherlands eased into the last eight with a 2-1 win against Slovakia.

Continuing their domination of Chile, which hasn’t beaten them in a decade, the Brazilians got goals from Juan and Luis Fabiano in the first half and Robinho in the 59th minute. The classy style that marks Brazilian soccer was present all night/

“It was a very good performance for Brazil,” playmaker Kaka said. “I’m happy with how we played. It shows that we are improving after each match, just as planned.”

For the Netherlands, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder scored in each half as the Dutch also showed their creativity on offense. Slovakia’s Robert Vittek scored with a penalty kick on the final play of the match.

“We had a good first half hour. And we started well in the second half,” coach Bert Van Marwijk said. “We should have scored 2-0, 3-0, maybe 4-0 there.”

Brazil and The Netherlands will meet in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

“We played a difficult match. Main thing is, we are through,” Robben said. “Probably the perfect game has still to come.”

The other remaining round of 16 matches — Paraguay-Japan and Spain-Portugal — take place Tuesday. Uruguay and Ghana were the first teams to qualify for the quarterfinals and they also meet on Friday.

Argentina and Germany qualified Sunday, but only after refereeing mistakes that FIFA is refusing to comment on.

FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot faced hostile questioning from reporters, but said it was “obviously not the place” to debate refereeing errors or the merits of video technology.

TV replays showed that England was denied a goal against Germany on Sunday when Frank Lampard’s shot bounced down from the crossbar and over the goal line. Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda waved on play; the 38th-minute shot would have leveled the game 2-2. Germany went on to win 4-1.

Later Sunday, Argentina’s first goal in a 3-1 win against Mexico was scored by Carlos Tevez from an offside position, but was allowed by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti after he consulted his assistant. Mexico players protested to the match officials after seeing replays on a stadium giant screen, which showed the infringement.

Guus Hiddink called on FIFA president Sepp Blatter to step down if he doesn’t introduce video technology.

“Sepp Blatter should announce tomorrow that video replay will be implemented or he needs to resign,” said Hiddink, one of the world’s most respected coaches.

The organization that represents players around the world also demanded that referees be given the most modern tools to do their job.

“We can do it, the football world wants it and yet it is still being thwarted. That is unacceptable,” FIFPro spokesman Tijs Tummers said.

Blatter hasn’t commented publicly since attending both controversial games, where he witnessed the refereeing errors. But he has strongly opposed introducing any video technology to help referees.

At least one Germany player called for new goal-line technology.

“If there is a possibility to use good technology, such as goal cameras or balls with chips, then maybe it should be used,” striker Miroslav Klose said. “I am not sure about video replays, but if you have a chip in the ball that sends a signal to the referee’s ear or beeps, then why not? If you can have it in other sports, why not in football.”