Dunga hits back at Cruyff
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Johannesburg - Brazil plans to silence former superstar Johan Cruyff when they tackle Netherlands on Friday in the first World Cup quarter-final.?
Brazil coach Dunga was angered when the 1970s Dutch legend and ex-Barcelona coach said he would not pay to watch the South Americans, claiming they lack the "magic" of old.
"Without doubt I would pay. I like to see these games as the players are technically gifted," Dunga told reporters before the first of three last-eight clashes pitting South America against Europe in South Africa this weekend.
Dunga said Cruyff was an analyst so he would not have to pay.
"He must get free tickets from FIFA so he does not pay. He can see the matches he likes," added the coach.
Cruyff, part of the team that introduced total football to the world, says he likes the look of European champions Spain but has not been impressed by "defensive" Brazil.
"I would never pay for a ticket to watch this Brazilian team.
Where has the Brazil team we all know disappeared to in this World Cup? Where is the Brazilian magic?" he asked.
Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder believes his side will be able to play their natural, attacking game at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the Eastern Cape city of Port Elizabeth.
"For the first time since the start of the tournament we are going to play against an opponent that plays an open game and leaves us spaces. It's an advantage," said the Inter Milan star.
"The difference between Holland and Brazil is negligible. I really think we can win. We have everything to reach the semi-finals, even though I'm aware we are playing a great team."
Ghana face Uruguay later Friday hoping to go one step further than Cameroon and Senegal and become the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
Leading scorer Asamoah Gyan said he has an acute sense of football history beckoning for Ghana, who have become the leading team on the continent under Serb coach Milovan Rajevac.
"This is a big opportunity for us. This World Cup is in Africa. No African will be supporting any team but us. I don't predict the outcome of games, but we will work hard and come out victorious," said Gyan.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has Uruguay on the cusp of returning to the big time after once dominating football, winning the first World Cup in 1930 and another 20 years later in Brazil.
"If we win the only sides that will have done more than us are the great world champions. I think we are very much even with other nations and if we win it will guarantee us fourth place," he said.
Football governing body FIFA has given Nigeria two days to reverse a decision to ban the national team from international matches for two years following a poor World Cup showing.
FIFA's ultimatum came after Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan banned his country from competing internationally following a disappointing first round exit after losses to Argentina and Greece and a draw with South Korea.
Huh Jung-Moo has quit as South Korea coach, citing distress from scathing attacks during the tournament in which his team reached the last-16 stage before losing narrowly to Uruguay.
"My family suffered a lot ... I want to have time to recharge myself and spend some time with my family," said Huh whose 30-month coaching contract expires at the end of the tournament.
It was the best performance by the Taeguk Warriors at a World Cup held outside the Asian country, where they reached the 2002 semi-finals as co-hosts before bowing to Germany.
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