Archive for June 26th, 2009

Daniel Alves perfectly place laser-curled free kick that was squeezed between the post and the keeper Khune’s fingertips in the 87^th minute saved Brasil’s bacon. Brasil edged South Africa 1-0 to advance to the Confederations cup on Sunday against the USA.

The way the wall was set up. Alves hit the shot in the only place that was open. That was the old ball game.

South Africa played tit for tat with Brasil all match long.

For me Brasil seemed to be playing on five cylinders instead of six. Brasil’s passing wasn’t crisp. They seemed just a step slower than the South Africa side. Brasileiros were out of rhythm all match long. Brasil’s passes were either a step in front or a smidgen behind. Brasileiros were out of synch.

South Africa had at least three good scoring opportunities.

Brasil escaped with a victory. The old saying I would rather be lucky that good. This is a perfect fit for today’s match.

Was it a foul on the play? Yes.

The built up to the attack was good. This built up directly led to the foul. The foul was the game clincher for Brasil.

Daniel Alves is a game changer.

My main man Dickie V would shout, “ That Alves kid has ice water in his veins. He’s a TPTER (A Prime Time Player).

We are a happy household. Both my wife and I wanted to see a Brasil-USA match. We have it.

I can’t wait until Sunday.

www.uol.com.br had this to say about the match: Foi sofrido. A segunda “zebra” das semifinais da Copa das Confederações rondou o estádio Ellis Park nesta quinta-feira, mas foi afastada por Daniel Alves. Autor do gol brasileiro na vitória por 1 a 0 sobre a África do Sul, o lateral-direito ajudou a equipe a carimbar sua passagem à decisão da competição pela quarta vez na história. A dificuldade, contudo, foi grande. O gol saiu somente aos 42min da etapa final.

South African coach Joel Santana stated that when Alves entered the match that was the key: Daniel Alves entrou no lugar de André Santos aos 36min do segundo tempo para ser o nome do jogo seis minutos mais tarde. Com cobrança de falta perfeita, sua especialidade, foi o herói da classificação brasileira e o carrasco do conterrâneo Joel Santana, treinador dos sul-africanos.

It was reported the cause of the poor play was that players were relying on too much their individual creativity and this caused problems for the team. It was reported this way.

A falta de criatividade no meio e o individualismo excessivo dos homens de frente complicaram a seleção brasileira. Se por um lado Júlio César foi pouco ameaçado (exceção feita a chute perigoso de Teko Modise), Kaká, Robinho e Luís Fabiano também pouco fizeram de efetivo, vencidos pela marcação.

Check out these sites.

www.palau.org

http://www2.hillsong.com/tv/home.asp