Archive for June 16th, 2009

The Confederations Cup is underway. The competition actually started on Sunday but for me Monday’s the day. Brasil and the USA made their debuts. Both were good and bad all rolled into one. Bear with me for a few moments as I explain my crazy self to you.

I am American with a Brasilian heart. I can hear the shouts at me now: “This dudes nuts!” Yes, I am. I love Brasil. Why? My wife is from Brasil. Besides that, I fell in love with Brasilian futebol when I was a teenager. I had my ear glued to the short wave to listen to all the World Cup games.

Now back to the match. Brasil jumped all over Egypt early. Brasileiros jumped out a huge 3-1 lead before taking the foot off the gas pedal. The Egyptians responded by scoring two goals in two minutes to tie the match three all. Then Kaka saved Brasil’s hide with a penalty kick. The final score 4-3 Brasil.

Before you go bananas this is Brasil’s style. Brasilians kick butt. Ease off. Then kick it back into gear and win nine times out of ten. Does this drive Dunga batty? Yep, it sure does but that’s the nature of futebol beast in Brasil.

Kaka got Brasil on the books first. Daniel Alves dribbled into the box and fired a perfect pass to Kaka who blasted home the winner in the fourth minute to give Brasil a 1-0 lead over Egypt.

Egypt found the equalizer in the eight minute. Zidan found the back of the net when out fought Daniel Alves and flicked the header home to tie this baby up at one all.

Three minutes later Brasil took the lead when Luis Fabiano perfect header touched the twines to make 2-1.

Juan’s header off a corner kick found the back of the net to give Brasil a 3-1 after thirty-seven minutes.

Brasil defense took a siesta. Egypt scored back-to-back goals in the 53^rd and 54^th minutes to this baby up at three all.

Brasil woke up and began to apply the pressure. In the 87^th minute Lucio, one timed a volley right at the goal. Egyptian defender Al Muhamadi swatted the ball out of the way with his fore arm. Bingo. A big no-no. It’s a penalty. Muhamadi knew he made a big boo-boo so he flopped on the ground to make it look like he was hit in the head. The ref didn’t buy the act so Big Al was awarded a red card. Kaka was true with his shot. Brasil 4 and Egypt 3.

www.uol.com.br  had this to say about the match with Egypt: Em uma estreia marcada por panes defensivas em série, o Brasil começou a campanha na Copa das Confederações com uma suada vitória por 4 a 3 sobre o Egito, nesta segunda-feira, no estádio Free State, em Bloemfontein. O time de Dunga fechou o primeiro tempo com dois gols de vantagem, depois permitiu a inesperada reação dos atuais campeões africanos, mas se salvou com um pênalti polêmico nos minutos finais.

The Brasil press added this: Defensivamente, a vitória sobre os egípcios deixa no ar a preocupação em relação ao trabalho para conter jogadas adversárias pela linha de fundo e também na contenção de contra-ataques. Foi com esses tipos de jogadas que os atuais campeões da África conseguiram suas melhores chances e seus gols. O sistema de proteção aos laterais do time de Dunga foi surpreendentemente vulnerável no duelo desta segunda.

The USA hung in there as long as they could before losing to Italy 3-1. The USA squad was a man down thirty-two minutes into the match. Ricardo Clark got the heave hoe after a late tackle. It was the right call.

The USA recorded first blood. Jozy  Altidore was mugged when drove into the box by Italian Giorgio Chiellini. Landon Donovan converted the gift to make 1-0 USA after thirty-nine minutes. 

Italy turned on the jets and outscored The USA three zero and won going away 3-1.

Giuseppe Rossi was the main man for the Italians. Both of his goals were long rain bombs that make keeper Tim Howard look silly.

What can I say. The USA was outclassed and outplayed by the Italians. Maybe it’s time for a change. Get rid of the whole team and rebuild from the ground. This isn’t working. Right now The USA couldn’t beat The Little Sisters of The Poor.

Brasil up next for The USA.

Check out these sites.

www.palau.org

 http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp