Port Elizabeth is the venue for one of the most intriguing ties of the World Cup so far this Friday, as Holland take on Brazil. The two sides have a rich history in the competition and go into the quarter-final tie on the back of some impressive results in South Africa this summer.

Five-time champions Brazil topped their group and easily dispatched of Chile 3-0 in the second round, while the Dutch deservedly saw off the challenge of Slovakia 2-1 after winning every game in the group stage.

It sets up an encounter that will be eagerly anticipated by the purists, although two teams famous for playing attractive, free-flowing football have been adopting a more cautious style of late.

Dunga's Brazil have been most impressive in defence and the coach has built a team not dissimilar to the one which lifted the trophy in 1994 - himself the captain of that side.

Of course, they still have attacking flair in abundance and with Kaka and Robinho beginning to hit form, they are also a formidable force going forward.

With Luis Fabiano forming an excellent understanding with those supporting attackers, Dunga seems to have struck the right balance and fused a team of workers with highly-gifted individuals.

Holland, meanwhile, have not produced the total football of old but are not in the last eight by pure coincidence.

They head into the game on a 23-match unbeaten run and were rarely troubled by Denmark, Cameroon and Japan in the group.

Manager Bert van Marwijk has received criticism for not playing in the typical Dutch way, but if the Oranje return home with the trophy in hand, few will be complaining.

Arjen Robben returned to the starting XI against Slovakia and put in a performance that continued his excellent season.

The Bayern Munich man cut in from the right and in typical Robben style hit a precise finish with his left foot past the helpless Jan Mucha.

If Brazil are going to continue their good record at the back they will need to keep the fleet-footed winger quiet, and another player in form is Wesley Sneijder.

Sneijder netted the second goal against Slovakia and is set to continue in midfield with Rafael van der Vaart expected to again be on the bench.

Van Marwijk is demanding unity between his players after striker Robin van Persie reacted angrily to being substituted in the last game, suggesting that Sneijder should have been the man to make way.

Disharmony in the Dutch ranks has been their downfall in past tournaments and they will need to keep together if they are to have any chance of progressing to the semi-finals.

Brazil will be without Elano for the crunch clash because of an injury to his right ankle, while fellow midfielder Ramires is suspended.

It means Dunga must shuffle his pack and he also has doubts over Felipe Melo and Julio Baptista.

If Melo, who is also suffering from an ankle knock, does not make it, Josue may start alongside Gilberto Silva in midfield.

Brazil and Holland have met on nine previous occasions; the South Americans have won three while the Dutch have come out on top twice, with the other four games ending in draws.