Brazil vs Colombia.

When last did Colomba play in the semi-final of a World Cup? None in any memory. In Brazil, one could mistake the Colombians for Brazilians, not just because the boys from Carlos Valdarama country adorn playing attires similar to Brazil’s, they indeed are exhibiting flair and technique far superior to what the real Samba men have exhibited so far on home soil. They have great technical artistes in Juan Coadrado and James Rodriguez (the leading scorer with five goals) and they have not taken the route of all dance and no bite. They have been efficiently creating and ruthlessly finishing. Their 11 goals scored so far come second to Holland(12 goals) and if Brazil do not treat them with respect, there could be the first real shock in Brazil.

In Brazil, we have a team that hasn’t really impressed but has strode on. Maybe through some suspect officiating and luck but Brazil are in the q-finals. Goalkeeper Caesar may no longer be the shot stopper he was five years back but he still mustered enough heroics to push Brazil through the last phase where hearts monetarily stopped during shoot out against Mexico. The back four of Dani Alves, Silva, Luiz, Marcelo have been the most unchanged at the Mundial while a plethora of defensive midfielders in Gustavo, Paulinho, Fernadinho, William and Ramires give the samba men enough steel.

The trio of Neymar, Oscar and Hulk occupy the creative department in a 4-2-3-1 formation that parades Fred as the lone hit man. But Fred has not been hitting targets, forcing Neymar to shoulder the responsibility with four strikers already.

Fred’s lethargic performance so far has been derailing the Samba men very dangerously. Interestingly, Brazil departed seriously from the usual samba to adopt a playing style the mirrors on just efficiency. Never have Brazilian sides been this direct on routes to goal like the Felipe Scolari side have exhibited this term. The intricate passing, delicate dribbles, very unique dance-like midfield moves and patient build-ups have all departed Brazil’s showcase.

If Brazil could ever be this Europeanised in approach to football matches then who says Jose Mourinho has not impacted hugely with his philosophy on the beautiful game?

However it goes, I still see Brazil getting to the semi-final. Why? Because they have Neymar, who rates with Messi and Robben as the three most influential players for their sides in Brazil.

Put your money on Brazil, that is if you are not careless gambler.