» 2009 Confederations Cup

Watch all goals: Brazil 3 – 2 US

Ana — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:45:14 +0000

Amaaaazing come back! Watch all goals from Brazil 3 – 2 US

BRAZIL: 2009 CONFEDERATIONS CUP CHAMPION

Bruno Romani — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 21:09:41 +0000

Not an usual game, I should say. After eliminating Spain, the US had acquired a different aura in the eyes of Brazilians. Suddenly, the squad that was massacred 3-0 became a team to be respected. That way, both sides started the match nervous. Brazil for the reason already mentioned. The US for losing virginity in a FIFA tournament final against Brazil.

The left side of the Brazilian defense invited the Americans for a big party. Andre Santos looked even more nervous than the rest of the team, and Gilberto Silva was a slow rock failing to cover the stage fright of the number 16. This is how the US found its first goal. Andre Santos left it open and Silva did not follow the American.

The goal got in the nerves of the Brazilian. Wrong passes increased and every play was rushed. For 5 minutes Brazil was completely lost.

Brazil had its first real challenge in the tournament, and one of the biggest of the Dunga era: to play against itself. Never the psychological aspect of the Brazilian team had been hit that hard. But it was just the beginning.

When finally Brazil managed to absorb the impact, and started to pressure (creating 2 chances with Melo and Maicon), the US hit again.

At that point, it was obvious that the Americans were going to explore the counter-attacks. However, Brazilians never thought they could do it just like Brazilians. The goal scored by Donovan was an exact copy of the goal Robinho scored against the Americans in the group stage. Karma is a bitch.

After the goal, Brazil got lost again. And the US could’ve ended the final there.

It took another five minutes to recover, but at that point, players could not cool down. Andre Santos, a man who was playing the second division of the Brazilian league until last year, could not handle the pressure. Ramires too. But even Kaka and Robinho seemed like freshmen.

The final 10 minutes was pure pressure, but the ball did not want to visit the back of the net. Dunga had to figure out the American monster in the half-time.

In the second-half, before the Americans could blink, Luis Fabiano was already celebrating. The striker was courageous and brave in his search for victory. The US, however, did not seem to feel the pressure as the Brazilians felt.

Gradually, Brazil started to grow. With 12 minutes, Howard denied Lucio and Gilberto missed. With 14 minutes, Kaka hit the cross bar with a header and Howard pushed the ball from inside the goal. The referee and linesmen did no see it. Desperation grew.

Americans watching the game on TV were having a live lesson about football: Unlike American sports, in football not always the best side wins.

With 20 minutes, Dunga replaced the nervous Andre Santos for a Daniel Alves – man who won everything with Barcelona, and more fit to handle the pressure.

Elano also came in replacing Ramires in order to manage better the counter attacks by the Americans and to explore long passes. Forwards? No, as Robinho shamefully was not there again.

With 25 minutes, Howard denied Luis Fabiano again. But The American defense was full of spaces. And physically speaking Brazil started to look better than the US.

Desperation grew and an yellow avalanche hammered the American defense. This is when Kaka carried the ball and crossed. Robinho, chickening out in an important match one more time, hit the bar. But Luis Fabiano gave no more chances for Howard. The draw finally took place. Some calm set in for Brazil after 75 minutes.

But the American defense melted and invited for more. And Brazil did not lay back. Kaka started to play a lot in the left since Brazil lacked a specialist.

With 5 minutes left, the Americans could not take the pressure. Lucio scored the winning goal Finally the corner worked. Finally Lucio, a man that came close to scoring in so many occasions in this tournament scored. The American dream lasted for 84minutes. But this time, this 84 marked no revolution.

Brazil held possession of the ball until the referee blew the final whistle.

Brazil is the first country to win the confederations cup for the third time. Just like it did with the World Cup by being the first country to win it for 3, 4 and 5 times.

For Dunga, it is his second title as a coach. And now Brazil seats on a very similar position as it did 4 years ago: Copa America champion, Confederations Cup champions and leading the Wolrd Cup qualifying with 27 points after the match against Paraguay. But with a big difference: this team has appetite for victory.

The mission for Dunga for now: to break the spell of winning a World Cup after lifting the Confederations Cup. You know the results in the World Cup after Brazil lifted the Confederations Cup in 97 and 05.

Let’s celebrate: É CAMPEÃO!!!

ps: No, US. You can’t.

Watch all goals: Spain 3 – 2 South Africa

Ana — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:25:11 +0000

Here are all the goals: Spain 3 – 2 South Africa

until 90′

3-2 – Xabi Alonso

Spain beats South Africa 3-2 and takes third place in Confederations Cup.

Ana — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:15:48 +0000

It was a very balanced match with both team creating chances and a lot of last-minute goals. But Spain managed to beat South Africa 3-2 on extra-time, after a 2-2 tie on regular time.

It’s not everyday that you see a match with so many last-minute goals. Spain almost got its second consecutive loss if it weren’t for Güiza. It was 87 minutes into the second half, and South Africa was wining 1-0 (scored by Mphela). Güiza managed to score 2 goals in 3 minutes – the second one a piece of art.

It was the end for the South Africa dream. Or was it?

2 minutes into overtime and there goes Mphela and scores on a free kick. What a beautiful goal. The match had turned once more in mere 5 minutes – and the folks who had given up at the stadium and left, should be regretting to have lost such and intense match. The vuvuzelas went nuts. South Africa was alive.

On the second time of overtime, Spain took the good opportunity on a free kick and scored with Xabi Alonso. That was the end of it. The South Africans fought but could not manage to shake Spain’s net once again.

What a great performance by the team from Joel Santana. Now we know they will not just be a host country in the World Cup in 2010.

Video: Brazil 1 – 0 South Africa

Bruno Romani — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:14:12 +0000

Turning the vuvuzelas quiet for a moment. Watch the goal that put Brazil in the final.

Brazil in the Final

Bruno Romani — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:22:22 +0000

It wasn’t going to be easy. The home team always grows in FIFA competitions. And difficulty increased as the locals have a coach who knows so well the Brazilian players. The only option for Brazil was to take advantage of the nerves of their rivals. So Brazil started the match marking South Africa in its defensive field as a way to force a mistake.

If in one hand a few mistakes appeared here and there, the first 20 minutes produced no chances. South Africa got more comfortable. And the roles switched. South Africa was the one looking for mistakes in the Brazilian defense. The locals found one soon, after a ball was crossed. Too bad it was missed.
20 minutes header

Meanwhile, Brazil got stuck in trying to attack through the middle instead the sides of the defense. At that point, Ramires looked the main offensive option.

South Africa started to play an intelligent match. If it could not force gigantic mistakes at every play, the team headed by Joel Santana started to get free-kicks. In one of them, Julio Cesar made an important save.

Ironically, as the match looked good for South Africa, it started to look good for Brazil. The reason? Brazil loves to counter attack. Kaka, who at that point was having a very shy participation, appeared twice. With 2 good chances. The first-half was over with a fair draw.

In the second-half, South Africa got in charge of actions, taking advantage of the countless wrong passes of the Brazilian players. Not much was created in terms of goal chances, but when that happened, Julio Cesar saved Brazil in a deflected ball. It was the best chances in the match for the locals.

In the attack, Luis Fabiano fought alone to create chances. Kaka, Robinho, Ramires and the two side-backs showed no signs of inspiration. The number 11 had time to miss an important volley.

From there, there was no spaces for goal chances. The teams seemed to agree on the zero draw.

This is when Dunga made a excellent replacement. Not only because of the outcome. By sending Daniel Alves to play as a left back replacing the insecure Andre Santos, Dunga sent a message to Kleber: you’re out of the national squad.

But the moment for Dunga is so good that the sub he made had very short term impacts. When everyone was ready for the draw, Brazil had on its hands the same weapon South Africa tried to used throughout the match: the free-kick. Ramires was fouled when Alves decided to take it. The goal was fantastic. It shattered the dreams of the locals and dissipated the Spanish ghost that has been lingering in African stadiums since yesterday.

Brazil is in the final. And now it hopes to keep the football universe in order.

Highlights: US 2-0 Spain

Ana — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:29:14 +0000

Watch all the highlights and goals from Confederations Cup semi-final between US and Spain. In great American fashion, by the way, with music on the background!

Historic Win: US 2 – 0 Spain

Ana — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:24:08 +0000

Today is a historic day for soccer in America. The US beat number one ranked Spain 2-0 and have reached the final fo FIFA’s Confederations Cup after barely qualifying for the semis. This is the first time the Americans reach a final of a FIFA tournament and they have done it in great style. The squad from Bob Bradley managed to score 2 goals and keep La Furia out going against all odds.

The US took advantage of Spain’s I-am-already-thinking-of-playing-Brazil-in-the-final attitude and played strong football, especially on the defensive side. US goalie Howard had a terrific match, Landon Donovan was everywhere in the pitch, and Jozy Altidore did exactly what he was supposed to. They all managed to keep a very balanced first half and even had some breathing time after scoring the first goal.

Were they able to hold the 1-0 result?

On the second half, Spain started with total pressure and had some great shots on goal. But sometimes the Gods of football decide that shots are not going in. Spain’s did not. And like the old saying says, the one who doesn’t score gets scored. And even playing a very defensive game, the Americans managed to score a second goal with Dempsey after a cross from Donovan.

Spain breaks its 35 consecutive victories and goes home with a bitter taste of life. US will face the winner of tomorrow’s other semi-final between Brazil and South Africa.

A team that has been so criticized for it’s game (I include myself on that) has proved that in football sometimes the best will not win and nothing can be predicted. The US did exactly what needed to be done in order to beat a strong team like Spain.

Isn’t football a beautiful sport?

Photo: Lucio is the man

Ana — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:38:52 +0000

I love Lucio. Such a solid defender. And today he almost scored… twice! Soon Lucio, soon you will be celebrating your own goal!

USA beats Egypt 3-0 and is in the Semis. Watch all goals.

Ana — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 04:11:27 +0000

Today was a day that went against all odds in Confederations Cup. As everyone was talking of the fight between Egypt and Italy to qualify to the semi-final of Confederations Cup, the USA was actually the one to move to the next round after surprisingly beating Egypt 3-0 wth goals from Davies, Bradley and Dempsey.

With the help of Brazil, who beat Italy also 3-0, the USA got its job done and will now face Spain next Wednesday for a spot on the final. Tough match to come. Qualification well deserved to the Americans.

Here are all the goals and highlights of USA 3 – 0 Egypt