Robinho, Brazil samba past Ireland
Source: Agencies |
March 4, 2010, Thursday
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AN own-goal by Keith Andrews and a quality second strike by Robinho gave Brazil a 2-0 victory over Ireland in Tuesday's friendly.
Exactly 100 days before the World Cup opener, Brazil produced an impressive second-half display after having failed to reach any heights of brilliance before halftime.
The first goal in the final minute of the first half was a fluke, Andrews turning a cross from Robinho into his own net. But there was nothing lucky about the second, Robinho swapping passes with Kaka and Grafite before stroking the ball home in the 76th minute.
"He has shown with his effort on the pitch what he can do. You can see that he's happy again," Dunga said of Robinho, who has returned to Brazil with Santos after spells at Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Dunga suggested that Pato and Ronaldinho, who he has repeatedly overlooked, would struggle to earn places when he announces his World Cup squad in May.
"Everybody has had his chance to show what they can do," Dunga said. "Now things have to be decided."
Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni said he believed the game was evenly contested until the own-goal.
"Up until about 45 minutes, it was a beautiful game," the Italian said. "I think we played to the level of Brazil. Afterwards we made two or three silly, easy mistakes and that gave them a great opportunity. They could have scored one or two goals more."
Arsenal's 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium appeared two-thirds full, with an even split between fans of both teams. It was Brazil's fifth game at the ground, having beaten Argentina 3-0, Sweden 1-0 and Italy 2-0 but lost 2-0 to Portugal.
The five-time World Cup winner started without injured striker Luis Fabiano. Robbie Keane, initially ruled out with a knee problem, lined up as Ireland's captain and leading threat in attack.
In a stop-start first half, Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar stuck out a left hand too block a header by Kevin Doyle and Ireland keeper Shay Given pushed a powerfully hit 25-meter free kick by Adriano over the crossbar.
Brazil went ahead when Maicon sent the suspiciously offside Robinho down the right and Andrews turned his low cross into his own net.
Substitute Daniel Alves should have made it 2-0 within seconds of entering the game in the 65th, bursting past Sean St Ledger and drawing Given off his line before shooting wide of the unguarded net.
Soon after, Robinho had the ball in the net but was ruled offside. He then scooped the ball over the bar from Kaka's pass as the Brazilians began to slice through the Irish defense.
Robinho produced a moment of magic to score the second goal. He took a return pass off Kaka's heel, exchanged passes with Grafite before side-footing the ball inside the post from 12 meters.
Exactly 100 days before the World Cup opener, Brazil produced an impressive second-half display after having failed to reach any heights of brilliance before halftime.
The first goal in the final minute of the first half was a fluke, Andrews turning a cross from Robinho into his own net. But there was nothing lucky about the second, Robinho swapping passes with Kaka and Grafite before stroking the ball home in the 76th minute.
"He has shown with his effort on the pitch what he can do. You can see that he's happy again," Dunga said of Robinho, who has returned to Brazil with Santos after spells at Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Dunga suggested that Pato and Ronaldinho, who he has repeatedly overlooked, would struggle to earn places when he announces his World Cup squad in May.
"Everybody has had his chance to show what they can do," Dunga said. "Now things have to be decided."
Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni said he believed the game was evenly contested until the own-goal.
"Up until about 45 minutes, it was a beautiful game," the Italian said. "I think we played to the level of Brazil. Afterwards we made two or three silly, easy mistakes and that gave them a great opportunity. They could have scored one or two goals more."
Arsenal's 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium appeared two-thirds full, with an even split between fans of both teams. It was Brazil's fifth game at the ground, having beaten Argentina 3-0, Sweden 1-0 and Italy 2-0 but lost 2-0 to Portugal.
The five-time World Cup winner started without injured striker Luis Fabiano. Robbie Keane, initially ruled out with a knee problem, lined up as Ireland's captain and leading threat in attack.
In a stop-start first half, Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar stuck out a left hand too block a header by Kevin Doyle and Ireland keeper Shay Given pushed a powerfully hit 25-meter free kick by Adriano over the crossbar.
Brazil went ahead when Maicon sent the suspiciously offside Robinho down the right and Andrews turned his low cross into his own net.
Substitute Daniel Alves should have made it 2-0 within seconds of entering the game in the 65th, bursting past Sean St Ledger and drawing Given off his line before shooting wide of the unguarded net.
Soon after, Robinho had the ball in the net but was ruled offside. He then scooped the ball over the bar from Kaka's pass as the Brazilians began to slice through the Irish defense.
Robinho produced a moment of magic to score the second goal. He took a return pass off Kaka's heel, exchanged passes with Grafite before side-footing the ball inside the post from 12 meters.
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