1 man, 3 matches

By: Bruno Romani | September 12th, 2007

Three matches to follow in my return to the blog.

1)In China, the Brazilian girls played a bad first-half against New Zeland, but conducted by Marta, the second-half was turned another massacre of this team. 5-0 and a decent debut the national team in the World Cup.

2) The male’s team played in Boston another friendly, this time against Mexico. The first-half started well for Dung’s team, with Ronaldinho and Kaká creating offensive options and moving a lot. It seemed that Uchoa was going to have another excellent night. It was impossible not to think of the Copa America match when Mexico jumped ahead. But Kléber tied a minute later sending those memories away. The second-half started lazier despite the fact that Ronaldinho was playing a good match. As usual, the lack of a real number 9 was killing the team, and a draw seemed the natural final score. But then, Marquez, the Mexican star, made a mistake clearing the ball, giving Kaká the chance to put Brazil ahead. Even Dunga had good moments, experiencing Elano and Kaká as offensive midfielders and Ronaldinho and Robinho as forwards. Too bad the coach returned to the usual and let Afonso “Almost” to action. To the dismay of the Gods of football, Afonso “0-0” lost his virginity. My eyes could not believe in what they saw: the shot, Uchoa jumping, the back of the net. Celebration. Afonso scored! And if you let a player like him score, you don’t need Ronaldinho or Kaká playing well. You just deserve defeat and humiliation. Sorry, Mexico.

3) At the Maracanã the only match of the Campeonato Brasileiro. Flamengo took on Cruzeiro for a match of the 16th round postponed. For Flamengo, it was a good chance escape the relegation zone. For Cruzeiro, it was the chance to get closer to leader São Paulo. The character of the night was a player that left São Paulo very criticized. Leonardo Moura, the right back, dribbled, shot, run, made Cruzeiro’s defense hell. In the first-half, Leonardo scored one of the most beautiful goals of this season. Sousa put the ball between the legs of a defender and crossed, Toró passed using his head to Leonardo, who without letting it fall, fired it on goal. In the second-half, another two goals by the locals: Sousa, with a header, and Obina after a play started by Leonardo. The 3-1 let Cruzeiro 9 points behind São Paulo, and the Campeonato Brasileiro is more and more with the tricolor.

PS: Two matches for the second-leg of the Brazilian stage of the Copa Sulamericana. It was so obvious what was going to happen that following it was like watching a movie for the 55th time. Vasco, playing at home, won with 2 goals by Marcelinho against Atlético-PR. The 2-0 added to the 4-2 Vasco imposed in Curitiba. In São Paulo, Corinthians lost again to Botafogo, adding to the 3-1 defeat at the Maracanã. Lúcio Flávio and Dodô scored for the visitors. Botafogo now will take on River Plate.

PS2: Thanks so much AJ for not only keeping this blog, but also putting some quality in it.