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November 16, 2009

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Mixed fortunes for Brazil, Argentina

Source: Agencies | November 16, 2009, Monday | Print Edition

BRAZIL continued its dominance over England with a 1-0 friendly win on Saturday but 2010 World Cup host South Africa's troubles persisted with a 0-0 draw at home to Japan on coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's second debut.

Spain added to Diego Maradona's worries by beating his Argentina side 2-1 thanks to two Xabi Alonso goals as the teams already qualified for South Africa began their preparations.

Maradona was facing a FIFA disciplinary tribunal in Zurich yesterday over his unruly behavior following last month's win in Uruguay which clinched his team's place at the World Cup.

He could receive a ban which would sideline him from part of the tournament.

In other games between qualified teams, Slovakia beat the US 1-0 while the Denmark-South Korea and Italy-Netherlands matches ended in goalless stalemates.

England last beat Brazil in March 1990 and its injury-weakened team rarely looked like ending that record. The eight meetings since then, including Saturday's in Doha, Qatar, have seen four Brazil wins and four draws.

Nilmar headed the only goal two minutes after halftime, then Luis Fabiano missed a penalty and Lucio thundered a shot against the post as Brazil continued to press.

In South Africa, Parreira, who was appointed for the first time in 2007 but quit last year after his wife fell ill, returned to the helm to replace compatriot Joel Santana following a long losing run.

He recalled striker Benni McCarthy for the match in Port Elizabeth but it was to little effect, as Japan enjoyed most of the better moments in a game of few chances.

Alonso put European champion Spain ahead after 16 minutes in Madrid and converted an 86th-minute penalty following a handball by Martin Demichelis.

Lionel Messi replied from another penalty just after the hour for Argentina.
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