After shocking Brazil with their aggressive, physical style in the first half of the Confederations Cup final, the United States first gave up a two-goal halftime lead and then eventually lost 3-2 to Brazil. Brazilian defender Lucio scored the winning goal with 6 minutes of regular time remaining.
The way the US lost, left The New York Times’ correspondent (who up until the day of the final was announcing a new dawn for US soccer after the shock wins over Egypt and Spain), in a state of depression: “The United States is still a developing nation in men’s soccer,” he opined.
Tag: Brazil
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Predicting the Confederations Cup Final
Chicken Dinner–the British blog that’s all about sports betting–suggests you should take your lead from previous match statistics:
1. Brazil have won 14 of their 15 matches against USA (one after extra-time). The USA’s one win over the holders came in the 1998 Gold Cup Final, with former Everton winger Predrag “Preki” Radosavljevic scoring the winner.
2. USA haven’t scored against Brazil in three previous Confederations Cup meetings, with Dunga’s side beating them 1-0 in 1999 and 2003 and winning 3-0 against them last Thursday.
3. Bob Bradley’s side haven’t won any of their last six games against South American opposition, losing five and failing to score in three of the last four.
4. Confederations Cup finals involving Brazil are never short of goals. Their three finals to date have produced 18 goals – an average of six a game.
5. Holders Brazil last attempted to retain the cup in 1999 and on that occasion they reached the final only to lose to the CONCACAF Gold Cup winner – Mexico – in the final. USA are the reigning Gold Cup champions.
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Brazil 1 South Africa 0
The commentator gets carried away a bit after the goal: “… the Samba-dancing Brazilians from South America.” Like Brazilians are always dancing. But you can’t disagree; it was a great free kick by FC Barcelona right back Daniel Alves.
In the end, South Africa and its passionate fans with their vuvuzelas will rue all the missed chances.
On the field the tournament was good for South Africa on the field: After the tentative start against Iraq, and being outclassed by Spain, they turned up. And a few players emerged as stars: goalkeeper Ithumeleng Khune, defenders Matthew Booth and Siboniso Gaxa, midfielders Siphiwe Tshabalala and Steven Pienaar, as well as striker Bernard Parker, can hold their own against the world’s best. South Africa now has a year to build a team around this nucleus of players. And they might just keep the coach.
That leaves us with a Confederations Cup final–that no one predicted–set for Sunday in Johannesburg.
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Robinho showboats
In a video posted online today Brazil’s Robinho clowns around during team practice before Thursday’s semi-final match against South Africa in the Confederations Cup. Brazil are favorites to go through to the final, where they’ll most likely play against Spain.