Brazil suffer but prevail against the Aussies
Adriano and Fred gave Brazil a 2-0 victory in a tense match in Munich, but once again the fluid flowing football that we all expected from Brazil did not materialise. The seleรงao were slow and ponderous - no one wanted to run. In addition, they seemed intimidated by the physical approach of the Australians. So what about Ronaldo, aka “Fatinho”? Well he contributed much more in this game than against Croatia, but his performance was still poor. He started brightly with a neat flick setting up Kaka who volleyed narrowly wide but his lack of speed and fitness was exposed when he swung wildly at a pass from Ronaldinho and embarrassingly missed the ball.
The Australians were well organised, often with 11 men behind the ball in the first half. Indeed they held out until the 49th minute when Fatinho, unnecessarily surrounded by three players decided what we all knew already - he was not going to run - and instead passed to Adriano who finished well from the edge of the box. Cue wild celebrations to commemorate the birth of his son.
Australia now needed to open up and they did. Brazil’s defending was once more not the best and last ditch tackles from Ze Roberto and Juan denied substitute Harry Kewell. Kewell’s best chance came when Dida fumbled a cross but he fired wide of an open goal. Brazil improved following the introduction of Robinho who again carried more threat than Fatinho and it was from his shot, which came off a post that Fred finally made the points safe.
Brazil’s first two matches seem to indicate what we all feared. The players believed they only had to turn up to win and so failed to prepare properly. Their preparations resembled more of a circus than serious training. Of the famed “Quarteto” only Kaka has performed. Based on reputation and talent Brazil are among the favourites, but on form they are nowhere near.
June 20th, 2006 at 9:06
Looks like the “Jogo Bonito” has become simply the “Jogo Efectivo”. I think it will hurt brazil to come into the world cup being considered as gods.
June 20th, 2006 at 9:03
Agreed. I would even call it “jogo feo”. It seems as if they have assumed that the quality of the individuals is enough - no teamwork necessary to win. What a disappointment….