Brazil and Netherlands win Group D

Group D could hardly have had a worse start for the defending champions as they lost 3:1 to Gambia, though their defeat of the Netherlands was hailed as one of the greatest games in the championship and that turned fortunes around for coach Nelson Rodrigues and his team. A closing 6:0 goal fiesta against Qatar rocketed them to the top of the group and there is every reason to suspect that a side which looked in true danger of early elimination may yet go all the way back to the final again. Everybody expects the Brazilians to be skilful and so it is with this selection, with winger Anderson arguably the pick of the bunch. His performance against Holland was especially noteworthy, as was that of goalkeeper Felipe, who seems destined for an extremely bright future. Team captain Denilson is an inspired leader, while the goals of Ramon and Igor could provide the platform for a successful title defence.