Not so fabulous warmup for Fabiano
Source: Agencies |
June 9, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
AFTER firing another blank in Monday's 5-1 win over Tanzania in Dar-es-Salaam, Luis Fabiano, angry with his own performance, stormed passed the waiting reporters without uttering a word. He even looked sheepish when he was applauded by coach Dunga after being substituted in the second half.
Robinho scored twice and Kaka was also on target for Brazil in its last friendly before the World Cup. Midfielder Ramires added the other two goals, his first for Brazil.
Fabiano has inherited the No. 9 shirt worn by Ronaldo at the last three World Cups but the same figure also represents the number of months which have passed since his last international goal.
When Brazil beat Argentina 3-1 last September to book its place in South Africa, Fabiano, known as the "Fabulous One" looked unstoppable. He had finished as topscorer in Confederations Cup with five goals and completed the South American World Cup qualifying competition with nine goals even though he played in only 11 of the 18 games.
At one point, he had the astonishing total of 25 goals in 32 internationals but that ratio has dropped significantly to 25 from 37 games after five full internationals without scoring.
Shortly after Brazil arrived in South Africa, Fabiano, who has had an injury-plagues season in Europe, boldly predicted that he hoped to be topscorer of the World Cup and saw Wayne Rooney and David Villa as his main rivals. He was dismissive of Lionel Messi, saying the Argentine played better for his club Barcelona.
But he admitted that replacing Ronaldo was a tall order. "It's a difficult position, there's a lot of pressure but I've overcome the difficulties," he said, in his only public comments since arriving in South Africa.
Brazil has scored eight goals in two friendlies against Zimbabwe and Tanzania with Fabiano's name missing from the scoresheet. He has not even managed to hit the target in training matches.
It is a worrying situation for coach Dunga who has named only four forwards in his 23-man squad, two of them, Nilmar and Grafite, with little international experience.
Big, powerful, fast and a clinical finisher, Fabiano is tailor-made to the counter-attacking game which has become a hallmark of Dunga's Brazil. The five-time champion is likely to face a packed defence in its first match against North Korea on June 15.
Robinho scored twice and Kaka was also on target for Brazil in its last friendly before the World Cup. Midfielder Ramires added the other two goals, his first for Brazil.
Fabiano has inherited the No. 9 shirt worn by Ronaldo at the last three World Cups but the same figure also represents the number of months which have passed since his last international goal.
When Brazil beat Argentina 3-1 last September to book its place in South Africa, Fabiano, known as the "Fabulous One" looked unstoppable. He had finished as topscorer in Confederations Cup with five goals and completed the South American World Cup qualifying competition with nine goals even though he played in only 11 of the 18 games.
At one point, he had the astonishing total of 25 goals in 32 internationals but that ratio has dropped significantly to 25 from 37 games after five full internationals without scoring.
Shortly after Brazil arrived in South Africa, Fabiano, who has had an injury-plagues season in Europe, boldly predicted that he hoped to be topscorer of the World Cup and saw Wayne Rooney and David Villa as his main rivals. He was dismissive of Lionel Messi, saying the Argentine played better for his club Barcelona.
But he admitted that replacing Ronaldo was a tall order. "It's a difficult position, there's a lot of pressure but I've overcome the difficulties," he said, in his only public comments since arriving in South Africa.
Brazil has scored eight goals in two friendlies against Zimbabwe and Tanzania with Fabiano's name missing from the scoresheet. He has not even managed to hit the target in training matches.
It is a worrying situation for coach Dunga who has named only four forwards in his 23-man squad, two of them, Nilmar and Grafite, with little international experience.
Big, powerful, fast and a clinical finisher, Fabiano is tailor-made to the counter-attacking game which has become a hallmark of Dunga's Brazil. The five-time champion is likely to face a packed defence in its first match against North Korea on June 15.
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