Brazil 1 x 0 Ireland: Not Bad

By: Bruno Romani | February 7th, 2008

Diego e Robinho. Brasil

It wasn’t a great game. But it wasn’t bad either. Nowadays, breath taking performances are reserved only to when the other team is Argentina and the match is a final one. In times of “there’s no innocent in the sport,” Brazil put out a good performance considering it was the first match of the year. Without Kaká, Dunga brought to life the trio that gave him the title of Copa América with G. Silva, Josué and Júlio Baptista plus Diego. Luis Fabiano, still carrying the credits of the match against Uruguay, and Robinho were the forwards. From the midfielders, little could be expected in terms of creativity, given that Diego usually does not play well with the yellow jersey. Still, the team exchanged good passes, making fewer mistakes than usual.

Out of the two players making their first appearance with the national squad, Richarlysson had a regular performance (and he never goes beyond this) whereas Leonardo Moura seemed nervous and did not play as he does for Flamengo.

On the second-half, Ireland decided it was time to take more risks, leaving more space for Brazil to create. Chances started appearing. Luis Fabiano, Julio Baptista, Diego. They all had chances. Finally a fast counter-attack and Diego found Robinho. Just like it happened at Santos. Robinho carried and with a gentle touch scored another of his beautiful goals.
After the goal, Brazilian players seemed comfortable with the victory and the Irish happy for losing only for a one goal difference.

With 10 minutes left, Dunga started to put Olympic players. But it was too late. He should’ve done it earlier. If this game was a test, after all, it was good for nothing. All the young sat on the bench. Some, like Hernanes and Breno, did not even get to play. But in general, this was a decent match.

CBF pocketed R$ 2.8 million while many of the clubs that participated in the first female Brazilian Cup, tournament created by CBF to avoid criticism after the great Women’s World Cup results, are still waiting from the promised financial help.

the goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iFnyaEpjlU