Brazil subdues France in scrappy clash
Source: Agencies |
June 11, 2013, Tuesday
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BRAZIL scrapped its way to a flattering 3-0 friendly win over France on Sunday in an ugly, disjointed match against an opponent which is even worse off than itself.
Second-half goals from Oscar, Hernanes and Lucas in Porto Allegre gave the under-fire Confederations Cup host a timely pre-tournament tonic in the city where coach Luiz Felipe Scolari built his reputation.
Brazil, which ended a six-match, 21-year winless run against France, was under enormous pressure after only one win in six outings since Scolari returned for a second stint in the job last November.
While the result, if not the performance, will give Brazil some relief, France was left to face the long flight back from its brief South American tour reflecting on its fourth defeat in five matches this year under Didier Deschamps.
Having rested Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, the toothless French, beaten 0-1 by Uruguay last Wednesday, barely tested Julio Cesar as it completed the trip without scoring.
"We didn't have the head nor the legs," Deschamps told TF1 television. "We played well for 20 minutes against Uruguay and for a short period against Brazil. Even in adversity, against superior teams, we should be able to do better."
Brazil's win placated a restless 51,000 crowd at the Arena Gremio, which is not among the 2014 World Cup stadiums, after they had jeered forwards Neymar and Hulk during the game.
But, with only Oscar showing any real invention and Neymar once again struggling against a European defense, it was still a far from memorable display
"The team is still being put together," Scolari , fondly remembered at Gremio where he won several trophies during the mid-1990s, said. "We are working to have a competitive team that will win matches."
Brazil, coming off a 2-2 draw with England at the new Maracana a week ago, was typically dominant but struggled to find a net in the first half.
Second-half goals from Oscar, Hernanes and Lucas in Porto Allegre gave the under-fire Confederations Cup host a timely pre-tournament tonic in the city where coach Luiz Felipe Scolari built his reputation.
Brazil, which ended a six-match, 21-year winless run against France, was under enormous pressure after only one win in six outings since Scolari returned for a second stint in the job last November.
While the result, if not the performance, will give Brazil some relief, France was left to face the long flight back from its brief South American tour reflecting on its fourth defeat in five matches this year under Didier Deschamps.
Having rested Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, the toothless French, beaten 0-1 by Uruguay last Wednesday, barely tested Julio Cesar as it completed the trip without scoring.
"We didn't have the head nor the legs," Deschamps told TF1 television. "We played well for 20 minutes against Uruguay and for a short period against Brazil. Even in adversity, against superior teams, we should be able to do better."
Brazil's win placated a restless 51,000 crowd at the Arena Gremio, which is not among the 2014 World Cup stadiums, after they had jeered forwards Neymar and Hulk during the game.
But, with only Oscar showing any real invention and Neymar once again struggling against a European defense, it was still a far from memorable display
"The team is still being put together," Scolari , fondly remembered at Gremio where he won several trophies during the mid-1990s, said. "We are working to have a competitive team that will win matches."
Brazil, coming off a 2-2 draw with England at the new Maracana a week ago, was typically dominant but struggled to find a net in the first half.
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