Cape Town, July 3(ANI): Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has dismissed Brazil defender Felipe Melo's claims that Arjen Robben had provoked him into a stamp during Fridays' World Cup quarterfinal between the two teams.
Melo, who scored an own goal in the 53rd minute, had stamped on Robben in the 73rd minute, an act that got the Brazilian sent off.
"Brazil should be ashamed. It was the other way round. Brazil tried to provoke us more than we provoked them," The Sun quoted Marwijk, as saying. I just saw the TV footage of the foul on Robben. I think you should be ashamed for Brazilian football," he added.
Melo had earlier said that Robben's consistent dives had his team frustrated.
"Robben kept playing up. If I meant to hurt him, he would have left the pitch. I have enough strength to break his leg. Every time he was touched he would jump and roll over on the floor. I just wanted to get the ball and start our counter-attack," Melo said.
"It's different to be sent-off for punching or spitting at someone than for a normal challenge. The challenge that Pepe made on me was much more worse. This depends on the interpretation of the referee and I think he was too harsh," he added.
Brazil, the five-time world champions, crashed out of the tournament after Netherlands came from behind to score twice in the second half to win the match 2-1. (ANI)
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