Later on, on a bad pass by Henrique, Vargas scored a beautiful goal for Venezuela.

Time to weak up Brazil. But apparently the alarm did not go off. Selecao was still asleep.

It was only on the second half that Dunga decided to change things a bit. But instead of taking out the slow and ineffective Adriano, he took away Pato from the pitch. The young AC Milan forward was creating good chances and was definitely a better choice.

With now 2 forwards and a more alive midfield, with Diego and Josue, Brazil started to gain some color. But it was not enough. With a lot of wrong passes and plays that deviated from Brazil’s passing style could have never given way to a Brazilian goal.

After the match, the players seemed not to care that much. After all, this was just a friendly and the real matches were still to come (Paraguay and Argentina for the World Cup 2010 Qualifiers). True at some point. The 50,000 people who went to the stadium, to see these players in action, were surely not having the same thoughts.

Coach Dunga made a good point on the press conference following the match: “now is the time to experiment and try all the players capped. It is not worth bringing these guys back from vacation if we are not going to give them a chance.”

Agreed. Let’s just hope Dunga won’t want to try new formation styles during the next 2 matches.

Watching friendly games of the Brazilian national team is like having non-alcoholic beer. It is beer, but without the buzz. When you put on the pitch players at the end of their long and tough season against a squad with zero tradition and arguable quality like Canada, it feels like that the only thing missing is a grill. The Brazilian players were clearly on vacation so any substantial analysis cannot even be attempted.

When Robinho pulled out another of his tricks and passed for Diego to open the score board with just 3 minutes, whatever seriousness the Brazilians might have, evaporated. The only problem is that Canada was not in vacation. Those dudes were taking it very seriously. Taking advantage of the fact that Josué, Mineiro and Juan seemed to have forgotten their brains somewhere down the Equator, the Canadians started to create chance after chance. And they tied the match with a header in which Júlio César failed to clear.

With the sword of shame by their necks, Brazil had to put some effort while Canada blew chances away. With this, few chances appeared and Luis Fabiano tied in the last minute of the first-half with a header which I don’t if it was that powerful. All I know is that the goalie let it in.

The second-half started and with it a dilemma for Dunga. Clearly the players were not interested in much action, so why not try the talents that will go to the Olympics? Maybe afraid that the youngster might have lost against such poor national squad, Dunga kept the same line-up. Or maybe Dunga truly believed that this match could be used as a test before the World Cup qualifying matches in July. Too bad that playing against Canada will do nothing for the preparation. In other words, what a waist of time.

Canada missed more chances, and they tied again through a lost member of the Jackson’s 5, who took advantage of the mental diarrhea that took over the Brazilian defense. Brazilians may have thought: “Fuck, we will have to work again.”

But not even that. Jackson’s 5 got excited about his nice goal that he tried a long pass. Well, the pass ended with Robinho who passed the goalie just to gently push the ball against the net. 3-2.

Canada reached its limit and could not do much more. Brazilians were comfortable with the victory. And that was the final result.

Dunga sent to the pitch Pato, Elano and Adriano. The emperor seemed to be excited about his return, and was the only one put any efforts into this match when there were only 15 minutes left. He almost scored from a long-range, but that was it.

On Friday, Brazil will take on Venezuela. Hopefully Dunga will use more this match to test players.

The second-half and Sweden grew. Luckly, Lúcio and Alex played a perfect match. But there’s something wrong when the best players of the Brazilian squad are defenders.

With 15 minutes into the second-half, Dunga brought the future to celebrate the past. 6 players of the Olympic squad (Anderson, Pato, Hernanes, Rafinha, Marcelo and Thiago Neves) were sent to the pitch. Anderson had the best perfomance, spicying up the midfield, but all of them played better than the older players.

However, if 50 years ago, Sweden introduced to the World a teenager who later became the king of football, now history repeats itself. Alexandre Pato did not waste the only chance he had after stealing the ball from the keeper. It was a moment of luck and intelligence. The shot of Pato was brilliant. If Pato is far from being the king of football (actually not even his performance was spectacular), this goal shows that the kid has the sparkles of luck and flair of the greatest players.

Hopefully in 50 years from now, we will remember Pato.

Here is the entire list:

GOALIES

Júlio César (Inter Milan)
Diego Alves (Almería)

DEFENDERS

Alex (Chelsea)
Juan (Roma)
Lúcio(Bayern Munich)
Leo (Grêmio)

RIGHT/LEFT MIDS

Richarlyson (São Paulo)
Daniel Alves (Sevilla)
Marcelo (Real Madrid)
Rafinha (Schalke)

MIDFIELDERS

Lucas (Liverpool)
Gilberto Silva (Arsenal)
Hernanes (São Paulo)
Josué (Wolfsburg)
Diego (Werder Bremen)
Julio Baptista (Real Madrid)
Kaká (Milan)
Thiago Neves (Fluminense)

STRIKERS

Robinho (Real Madrid)
Alexandre Pato (Milan)
Luis Fabiano (Sevilla)
Rafael Sobis (Bétis)

Unfortunately, Diego could not show the good football he shows at Werder Bremen. I am not really sure what the deal is right there, but I surely hope he finds his game. He definetely deserves a place in the squad.

But all in all, good match for a young team.

Jermaine Jenas opened the scoring five minutes before half-time, with Derdiyok levelling and Wright-Phillips restoring the advantage either side of the hour mark.

England were awkward at first but confident as the game progressed, with plenty of chances ensuring the fans went home happy.

First Half

Tonight’s game at Wembley was about the future, but also the past: a minute’s silence was held before kick-off to honour the victims of the Munich air crash who lost their lives 50 years ago today.

On the pitch, Fabio Capello outwitted the pundits with a slightly surprising XI. We knew the captain, but Gerrard’s three midfield counterparts were David Bentley, Jermaine Jenas and Joe Cole, with Gareth Barry anchoring behind.

Wes Brown got the nod at right-back, Ashley Cole on the left and Matthew Upson was chosen to partner Rio Ferdinand in the centre. David James was between the posts while at the other end Wayne Rooney was deployed as a lone front man. Only three of those who started McClaren’s final game began this one.

Switzerland boss Kobi Kuhn picked a strong side, with new Wolfsburg signing Diego Benaglio chosen in goal. Compact play and well-timed tackles marked the opening minutes. Switzerland were more than willing to match England for pace, at times catching the hosts in possession.

Tranquillo Barnetta fired in the first shot of the game; England retorted as Rooney headed Bentley’s free-kick wide and then forced a save when put through by Joe Cole. The United striker came close again, flicking from a narrow angle into the side netting, before Ferdinand header over.

At the other end, Barnetta fizzed one wide after Brown was caught napping. Senderos and Eggimann almost combined to nod home a Swiss corner, with England’s centre-backs nowhere, and Barnetta curled over a free-kick. Gerrard and Jenas were sitting too deep, the team failing retain possession and the red shirts remarkably distant and unfamiliar with one another. Cries of “there’s only one David Beckham” emanated from sections of the ground.

A moment of promise arose as Jenas broke the offside trap, but he delayed his pass and found the keeper ahead of Cole, who had made a terrific run. The Chelsea midfielder, perhaps the only Englishman to play near his potential before the break, came close with a turn-and-shot and then forced a fine parry from Benaglio after Rooney broke effectively.

Cole was involved heavily as the hosts took the lead on 40 minutes, cutting along the left bye-line after a terrific diagonal ball from Gerrard to the slide the ball in for Jenas to tap home.

Second Half

Capello made no changes at the break; Switzerland made three, including Lazio’s Behrami. Rooney had a terrific chance to double the lead but got Bentley’s cross tangled in his feet. The striker then attempted a delightful chip that inched over the bar before seeing his chest-and-volley deflected wide.

England were rallying, far more relaxed; only a fine save from Benaglio prevented Jenas from bagging a brace. As England made two changes, Wembley was stunned by a snap equaliser from Swiss substitute Derdiyok. Yakin played him through nicely, and with Ferdinand miles off the pace, Derdiyok – making his debut – lashed a shot across goal into the bottom-right corner.

No sooner were England pegged back than they regained the lead. Gerrard raced down the left and squared for another substitute, Shaun Wright-Phillips, to slip the ball into the net. It was a fine cross-box pass from Gerrard in a move made by another sub, Crouch, and his towering knock-on.

Rooney’s strength and thunderbolt shot almost made it 3-1 and Crouch also worked the keeper with a volley. Rooney and Wright-Phillips were now providing attacking width to accompany centre-forward Crouch, with Gerrard responding positively to the additional space this created in central midfield.

Capello’s calls his for men to “press” were heeded to useful effect. England’s football now resembled a Premier League affair as opposed to the cagey, cautious and awkward stuff served up before the break. Rooney, Gerrard and Crouch then linked superbly, but the Liverpool striker’s final ball back to his captain resulted in a scuffed shot.

A late mistake from James and a goalmouth scramble had England hearts in mouths seconds before the whistle, but the Three Lions held on to take victory in Capello’s first game in charge. Plenty of chances and more assured football seemed to satisfy the Wembley fans, who were altogether more positive about their side’s performance.

Line-ups:

England (4-1-4-1): James – Brown, Ferdinand, Upson, A Cole (Bridge 73) – Barry (Hargreaves 73) – Bentley, Gerrard, Jenas (Wright-Phillips 57), J Cole (Crouch 57) – Rooney (Young 87)

Subs not used – Carson, Kirkland, Richards, Lescott, Woodgate, Owen, Defoe

Switzerland (4-4-2): Benaglio – Lichtsteiner (Behrami 46), Senderos (Grichting 55), Eggimann, Spycher – Gygax (Derdiyok 46), Gelson (Huggel 84), Inler, Barnetta – Yakin (Margairaz 64), Nkufo (Vonlanthen 46)

Subs not used – Zuberbühler, Coltorti, Ziegler

Goals:

1-0 Jenas, 40 (J Cole)
1-1 Derdiyok, 58 (Yakin)
2-1 Wright-Phillips, 62 (Gerrard)

Diego is a well know midfielder. And even thought he has been called to join the Brazilian Selecao many times, few times has Dunga given him any eral chances of playing. He gets 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, and can never do anythign substantial. No wonder! I hope Dunga will actually start him for once, so that he can show the game he plays at Werder Bremen.

Here in the Brazilian roster for Wednesday’s match.

Goalie:
Júlio César (Inter de Milão)
Renan (Internacional)

Wingers:
Maicon (Inter de Milão)
Rafinha (Schalke 04)
Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Defenders:
Naldo (Werder)
Luisão (Benfica)
Breno (Bayern de Munique)
Alex (Chelsea)

Mid Field:
Gilberto Silva (Arsenal)
Hernanes (São Paulo)
Josué (Wolfsburg)
Lucas (Liverpool)
Richarlyson (São Paulo)
Anderson (Manchester United)
Thiago Neves (Fluminense)
Júlio Baptista (Real Madrid)

Strikers:
Robinho (Real Madrid)
Luis Fabiano (Sevilla)
Rafael Sobis (Bétis)

“After serious thought, I decided to exclude myself despite it being a fantastic position. I’m sure the FA will hire a great manager, one able to place the team back where it belongs.”

Yeah, thanks. So are the rest of us.

Here is what some fans said on BBC 606:

Mourinho would have been the ideal candidate but don’t believe for one minute that he had any intention of ever taking the job.
He was simply increasing his stock and putting the pressure on the club jobs he is really after.
The FA called his bluff (as if they had any choice) but amazingly no one will ever give Mourinho any stick for leading on and using the country he “loves and respects”.

Thank Heavens, Signor Mourinho, and thank you for leaving English football alone
May your God go with you and bring you loads of money elsewhere!
Good luck and good-bye - once and for all!

I believe he was a good man to take on the job. But there are other ones out there. Now the ball is apparently between Fabio Capello, Marcello Lippi and Jurgen Klinsmann.

Alright! Another strong rumor week is about to start.

[tags]Mourinho, English Football, FA[/tags]

These guys better watch out. She will be dribbling and leaving a bunch of them wondering where the ball went.

Seriously, when I grow up I want to be Marta.

The move however, isn’t making some fans happy. Tombo1984, a fan at BBC’s 606, says that “We need our best players playing for this, and im afraid this shouldnt include out of form, unfit former stars playing for large teams…”

What do you think? Want to create a list of 10 reasons why Beckham should NOT play? EMAIL ME!