Brazil Crowned Confederations Cup Champions
June 28, 2009
After stunning the soccer world with their defeat of Spain in the semifinal at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, the USA were looking to pull off another impossible defeat against Brazil.
In the tenth minute the USA took the lead after a pass into Clint Dempsey was hit first time to beat the Brazilian keeper.This came from the first attacking move from the underdogs.
Amazingly it was the USA who was next to score. A counter attack expected more from Brazil saw Landon Donovan score in the 27th minute. It was a beautiful goal which came from three passes after a poor pass from Brazil at the top of the penalty box. The final play saw Donovan touch the ball with his right foot to get around a defender before shooting with his left into the bottom right corner of the Brazil goal.
The question was now is 2-0 enough to win the match and shock the world yet again? Brazil had plenty of chances but could not beat the USA in the first half.
Brazil hit back just after the start of the second half when Luis Fabiano scored a great goal inside the first minute when he turned at the top of the penalty box to score. The comeback was complete after Kaka made a run down the left to send in a cross that was headed against the crossbar, it was Fabiano again who was on hand to head in the rebound in the 74th minute.
The dream was over for the USA when in the 84th min Lucio scored a headed goal from a corner kick. The USA coach was nearly in tears when that one went in. The final score was to be 3-2.
A brave USA could not find another goal and the five time world champions were once again crowned Confederations Cup champions. It was a great match to give soccer fans a taste of what is to come at the FIFA World Cup to be held in South Africa in 2010. All credit to the USA who made this a great final.
Brazil Break South African Hearts
June 26, 2009
In semifinal one of the FIFA Confederations Cup the world witnessed the shock upset of Spain at the hands of the USA. The 2-0 win took USA into the final. In semifinal two local fans were hoping that South Africa could also pull off an upset.
After 85 minutes it looked possible. The score was 0-0. South Africa had even gone close to scoring at times and in the first half the hosts looked the better team. Could this be another miracle win?
If fairytales always come true then we would have seen South Africa grab the win. Bad news for the home team was that this was not to happen.
No. 18 for Brazil, Ramires was brought down just outside the penalty box. For the free kick up stepped Daniel Alves. The tension built as he lined up the kick from the left side of the field, then bang. He unleashed the perfect strike that sent the ball into the top right corner of the South African goal. The dream was over, Brazil just had to hold on for four minutes to move into the final.
The only chance after that goal came the way of Brazil but Fabiano could not covert a wide open chance. The game ended and the locals were left with an empty feeling. At least they have had a taste of what is to come at the big event next year at the FIFA World Cup.
We now look forward to the final of the tournament when Brazil play the USA. It is not the final that most expected however it should be an interesting match.
USA Stun European Champion Spain in South Africa
June 26, 2009
Going into the semifinal match between the USA and Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup it was the USA who had nothing to lose. The European Champions, Spain were expected to continue their impressive winning streak and advance to the final.
According to where the money was going into the match Spain were raging hot favourites. A win for Spain would pay $1.22, a draw $5.25 and a USA win was to pay out $12.00. Clearly everyone thought this was going to be a win for Spain.
Spain were playing for a record of 16 consecutive wins as well as going past Brazil’s 35-match unbeaten run. Also on an individual level David Villa was trying become the first international player for some time to score in four consecutive matches. This perhaps detracted from Spains game as instead of trying to setup Fernando Torres he went for glory.
The USA opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Spanish based Jozy Altidore scored. He was able to get on the goal side of his defender as the ball was delivered to him.
Spain had several good chances throughout the match but could never find the back of the net. To make matters worse the USA went 2-0 up when Clint Dempsey scored at the 74 minute mark. It was once again a defensive error that allowed the goal. The ball had been crossed close to the Spanish goal. Instead of the defender clearing the ball on the first touch they controlled the ball only to see Dempsey poach it for the goal from close range.
There was no answer from Spain and perhaps the biggest upset in world football was complete.
South Africa and USA join Spain and Brazil in Confederations Cup Semifinals
June 22, 2009
The last round of pool play had plenty on offer for soccer fans around the world. Much to the delight of the host country their team, thanks to a well fought draw by New Zealand against Iraq, advanced. Even with a 2-0 loss to Spain, South Africa booked a matchup against Brazil.
In Group B all teams were still alive going into the last night of the group stage. A good win for the USA over Egypt and a loss for Italy could see the USA advance. A pair of 3-0 victories saw just that happen. First of all it was a Brazilian three goal blitz over an eight minute period in the first half that setup a 3-0 win.
In the match that followed the USA needed a 3-0 victory to advance. That is exactly what they got. The last goal coming in the 71st minute after Clint Dempsey headed into the Egyptian goal. This followed a goal in the 21st minute by Charlie Davies and 63rd minute goal to Michael Bradley.
The first semifinal will take place on 24 June when Spain faces the USA. The next night will see South Africa take on the five time World Cup champion nation, Brazil.
It would be hard to tip anything other than a Brazil - Spain final. That promises to be an exciting matchup. Could that perhaps be a preview of the 2010 World Cup final?
Egypt Downs Italy in Historic Win
June 19, 2009
Egypt showed in their match against Brazil at the Confederations Cup in South Africa that they can match it with the best. In that game they were unlucky to come away with a 4-3 loss.
In their second match they took on the current FIFA World Champions Italy. This time there was nothing but great emotion for the African champions as they downed Italy with a single goal by Mohamed Hommos.
The win for Egypt saw scenes of jubilation in South Africa from fans lucky enough to be on hand to witness the win, and also in Egypt. It was a great win for the nation.
The loss for Italy is the first to an African team from 14 previous matches and sees them facing the possibility of missing a semi-final spot.
In fact Group B is wide open. Despite not winning a match so far the USA is still in the running for a semi spot. For this to happen Brazil would need to defeat Italy and then the USA would need to step up and win comfortably against Egypt.
From what I have seen so far I would favour Egypt to move into the semi-finals joining Brazil from Group B.
In the other match in Group B, Brazil defeated USA 3-0.
The day before saw two matches played in Group A. Spain booked their semi-final spot with a 1-0 win against Iraq, while hosts South Africa downed a sub-standard New Zealand 2-0. South Africa really should have scored more.
Play continues on Saturday with Iraq playing New Zealand and South Africa facing Spain.
Socceroos Come From Behind To Defeat Japan
June 17, 2009
Japan visited Australia to take on the Socceroos in the final match of the FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying stage. Both teams had already secured their spot at the pinnacle of soccer to take place in just under a year in South Africa. This by no means was a dead rubber. Pride was on the line.
The rivalry between Japan and Australia has been building since both teams met in Germany in 2006. On that occasion it was Australia who came out on top. Japan got their revenge at the Asian Cup.
Before a crowd of around 70000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground it was Marcus Tulio Tanaka who opened the scoring as he beat Mark Schwarzer after 40 minutes. The significant thing to note about this goal is that it was the first goal Australia had conceded in this group stage. They had gone seven games without a single goal being scored. After the match Lucas Neill blamed himself for the Japanese goal.
Before the match I tipped a 2-1 win for the Socceroos and thanks to Tim Cahill I hit it on the head. Cahill scored yet again against Japan when he headed home from a long cross on the 59 minute mark.
If that was not enough to haunt Japan, Tim Cahill popped up again to give the Aussies the winning goal in the 77th minute. Nicky Carle had just taken a left footed shot that almost beat the Japanese keeper. He turned it wide for a corner. From the corner it was Cahill who tapped home from close range.
The Aussies following this result end the qualifying on top of the group with a five point margin ahead of Japan. Despite all the criticism from so called fans the Socceroos really could not do much better. Sure they did not play dazzling football at all times but the conceded just one goal in the final group stage and were the clear leaders.
No surprise but Tim Cahill took man of the match honors. In the after match interview Cahill did not have much to say. He just answered his questions by saying I just want to thank the crowd. No doubt he was not happy with the press after their reporting of a nightclub incident in Sydney.
Love to hear your comments about Pim Verbeek and the rest of the Socceroos.
Congratulations go to Lucas Neill who was playing his 50th game for the Socceroos.
Brazil Escapes With Win Over Egypt
June 16, 2009
The FIFA Confederations Cup is underway in South Africa. The tournament brings together World Cup champions Italy, European champions Spain, Copa America winners Brazil, OFC Nations Cup winners New Zealand, Africa Cup of Nations winner Egypt, Asian Cup winners Iraq, CONCACAF Gold Cup winner USA and host nation South Africa.
In the opening match of the tournament 2010 FIFA World Cup host South Africa took on Iraq. In what turned out to be an uninspiring match the final score was 0-0. South Africa perhaps deserved more however they were not able to find the back of the net.
In the match that followed it was all Fernando Torres. He had a hat trick in the first half as the top ranked team in soccer cruised to a 5-0 thumping of New Zealand. Torres scored in the 6th, 14th and 17th minutes of the opening period to pull of the fastest hat trick in the tournaments history. Cesc Fabregas and David Villa added goals. The Villa goal should never have been scored after New Zealands Andy Boytens almost took an air swing at the ball to gift Villa the goal.
In day two action it was Brazil who looked to be cruising to a win over Egypt. The five time world champions were ahead 3-1 at the break thanks to an early goal to Kaka which came after just five minutes. It is hard to describe his goal, was it a lucky bounce or two or skill that set it up?
Much to everyone’s surprise the team from Egypt managed to level the scores at 3-3 after Mohamed Zidan scored his second goal in the 55th minute. His first came after nine minutes. Just when it looked as though the match would end in a draw it was heartbreak for Egypt. A volley by Brazil’s Lucio was heading goalward when Egypt’s Al Muhamadi handled the ball. The result was the Kaka stepped up to the penalty spot and converted to end the game 4-3.
In the other match in group B Italy came from behind to defeat the USA 3-1. Landon Donovan had converted a penalty after 41 minutes to give the USA the lead. In what turned out to be a coaching masterstroke Marcello Lippi sent on Giuseppe Rossi and Riccardo Montolivo for Mauro Camoranesi and Gennaro Gattuso. It was Rossi who scored a double to secure the win for Italy.
Matches 5 and 6 take place on Wednesday 17th June when Spain faces Iraq and South Africa take on New Zealand. On the following day the USA plays Brazil and Italy face Egypt.
FIFA World Cup Finals - who won’t be going?
June 11, 2009
So far we know that Australia, Japan and South Korea from the Asian zone have booked their spot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Joining them from the European zone is the Netherlands. OK so they are going to the finals but who out of the big name nations is struggling to earn a start at the finals, or may miss out altogether?
Perhaps the biggest name to miss the big event is Portugal. They have some work ahead of them as they are seven points behind leaders Denmark and four points off second-placed Hungary in group 1. The top team in each group qualifies for South Africa, while the second team enters a playoff.
The 2006 World cup runnersup, France are five points adrift of top place Serbia in group 7. They do have a game in hand however it is looking likely that France could have to earn their spot through a playoff.
Another team struggling to qualify is Sweden. They are in the same group as Denmark and Portugal and are currently in fourth spot. It is hard to see them making the finals despite being in the finals on 11 occasions including the past two world cups. In overnight action they did at least manage a 4-0 win over Malta to make up some ground.
The Czech Republic and Turkey are other teams with a long way to go before they get close to qualifying. More than likely you could write them off now.
Looking across the Atlantic to the CONCACAF zone, Mexico are struggling to reach the finals. Zven-Goran Eriksson paid the price for the teams poor form and was removed as national team coach after a 3-1 loss at Honduras. Currently Mexico are in the play-off place one point behind El Salvador, who currently hold the final automatic berth after five matches. A 2-1 win at home over Trinidad and Tobago improved their position as before Matchday 5 Mexico were below El Salvador.
In Africa only the top nation in each of the five groups will advance. There is no second chance. After two matchdays, Cameroon and Morocco are left five points adrift of surprise group leader, Gabon. Between the two of them, Cameroon and Morocco have qualified for the previous nine FIFA World Cups.
The last qualifying spot for the World Cup finals in South Africa will be decided on November 18 when the fifth place team from South America takes on the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF. If that match were to be played today we would see Mexico play Ecuador.
Socceroos Continue Clean Sheets
June 10, 2009
The Socceroos returned to home soil to take on Bahrain after securing a spot in the FIFA World Cup finals last weekend. In front of a crowd of around 40 000 at the Sydney Olympic stadium it was once again an ordinary performance from the Australians in the first half.
The visiting Bahrain team perhaps had the better of the first half however Scott McDonald had the best chance of the first half. He was in the clear with only the goalie to beat but he blasted the shot over the goal.
The Socceroos picked up the pace in the second half and looked the better team. Mile Sterjovski scored for the home team in the 55th minute as the Bahrain team failed to clear the ball as it came across from the left. He shot from close range to give the Socceroos a 1-0 lead.
Bahrain had a few more chances in the second half but perhaps overplayed the ball and passed one to many times instead of shooting on goal.
With the game now flowing the Socceroos were creating more chances. McDonald wasted another opportunity as he held the ball for too long when he was at the top of the box with Harry Kewell unmarked to his left. Kewell had so much space and would have been a good chance to score.
Kewell when he got the ball a short time later on the left was able to beat a defender before getting onto his left foot but the Australian no. 10 blasted his shot high and wide.
In the game on the weekend Australia saw Tim Cahill hit the post with an acrobatic bicycle kick. In a repeat of that effort Jason Culina also hit the post but this time David Carney was able to follow up the shot and tap home for Australia’s second goal. This came in the 88th minute.
Once again Australia did not dazzle the fans but they kept a clean sheet for the seventh straight game in the qualifying phase. The first half effort was ordinary but a better display in the second half would leave fans happy. I am not sure how the coach would rate the game but it is another win for the Aussies.
Bring on Japan. The Socceroos take on the Japanese team in Melbourne on 17 June.
Did you watch the game? Leave your comments below.
Socceroos Join Japan in the FIFA World Cup finals
June 6, 2009
Australia took on Qatar in the Middle East heat knowing that a point would be enough to send them through to the FIFA World Cup soccer finals in South Africa in 2010.
Japan earlier in the night had secured their spot with a 1-0 away win against Uzbekistan.
The Socceroos dominated the match and never really looked like losing to a team that needed the win to stay in the hunt for a spot in South Africa. The Qatar team with full points would still have a chance to qualify through a playoff with Oceania.
Tim Cahill went the closest to scoring in the match after an acrobatic effort hit the post as he did a scissor kick in the first half. Harry Kewell also had some good opportunities however he was not able to find the back of the net. Cahill also went close in the second half after a long ball was played down by Josh Kennedy and Cahill hit it from long range to test the Qatar keeper.
The aim of the match was to secure qualification for Australia. With the draw that has been achieved. One impressive fact is that Australia has gone six matches without conceding a goal.
Australia now can look forward to two home games to close out the qualification process.
In other Asia zone action Korea Republic moved closer to qualification with a 2-0 away win against the United Arab Emirates. The win sees them at the top of their group on 14 points from six matches, Korea DPR are second with 11 points from seven matches and Saudi Arabia hold down third spot with 10 points from six games played.
Congratulations to the Socceroos and Japan.
