Brazil-Egypt Recap

Brazil 4-3 Egypt

This was an exciting match for the casual observer, and a frustrating one for the fan of the seleção. Credit to Egypt for coming to play. They are the African Nations Cup winners, and deservingly so after a good performance like this. Egypt exposed Brazil’s obvious defensive frailties, and played with a surprising degree of fluidity and pace the entire match.

Brazil went into the halftime break up 3-1, and looked to have the game in hand. However, the second half was a different story as two goals in succession by the Egyptians, plus a barrage of other shots on goal had the team on the brink of securing at least a point in this match. Brazil scored the game winner on a penalty kick from Kaka, who was absolutely brilliant today, and my man of the match. The penalty stemmed from a blatant hand ball by Ahmed Al-Muhammadi in front of the goal, who was given a straight red for his antics.

Although Brazil came out of this match with three points, there are several questions that are going to need to be answered before the U.S. match . Kleber was shockingly horrible today. He looked completely lost on the pitch, seemingly forgetting to track back on defense as if he was playing forward today. The central defense was not much better, and was under assault most of the match. I thought Juan particularly, despite another goal, played poorly.

Also woeful today was Gilberto Silva, who appeared to leave any of his game in Recife. He was nowhere to be seen on any of the Egyptian attacks. Felipe Melo, who had a very solid match when you considered all the work he had to do, was essentially the only defensive midfielder playing today. He was forced to cover both the right and left flanks all afternoon. He should not be a position where he is asked to be doing everything in the back half of the pitch.

Up front, Robinho replicated his pre-goal crappiness against Paraguay, except this time for the entire period he was on the pitch. His passing and first touch were AWFUL! Even the most simple passes to him he could not handle. Dunga fortunately recognized his terrible play and pulled him for Pato early in the second half.

Dunga is going to have to make changes if he wants to win this tournament. Ramires, Pato, and Andre Santos are all going to need to be on the pitch for Brazil to have a chance against the Spanish. We could have really used Alex today.

Player Ratings:

Julio Cesar, 7, He was under fire the second half, and made several key saves. He was a little shaky with his hands today, but did an adequate job.

Kleber, 3, What was he doing on the pitch today, I have no idea? When he would go forward in the attack and then he would just stay up there leaving Brazil with three defenders. Felipe Melo ended up playing left back and defensive mid because of him. Although he probably will, he shouldn’t be on the pitch now and in the future for the team.

Lucio, 6, He had to work hard today to cover for Kleber. He did not play as well as the Paraguay match, but there was chaos in the back four that wasn’t really his fault.

Juan, 5.5, Scored a goal on a header, but defensively did not have a good match. He fell asleep on the first Egyptian goal, and was late preventing another.

Dani Alves, 6.5, You could possibly blame him for an Egyptian goal, however it doesn’t help Gilberto Silva is not doing his job covering the right side when Alves goes on the attack. He was energetic and played a decent match. Could have done better on the free kicks.

Gilberto Silva, 3, What else can I say

Elano, 5, His play has been declining for the national team. Ramires is putting a lot of pressure on him for a starting spot in my opinion.

Felipe Melo, 7, He had a very solid match with all things considered. Had to cover for Alves and Kleber essentially when either went on the attack. His tackling I thought was very good.

Kaka, 9, He is worth every penny Real Madrid paid for him. No one, I mean no one, is better on the counter attack. He scored two today, and if he would have had some help it could have been more.

Robinho, 5, He needs to work with an elementary school football coach on controlling the ball after today. Is there a more frustrating player in the world that Robinho? Great some days, terrible others. This was a terrible one.

Fabiano, 7, He was essentially playing alone up front. He used his size well and got on the score sheet.

Subs:

Ramires, 7.5, He instantly stopped the bleeding for Brazil when he stepped on the pitch. He was a second away from scoring on a great run. He is making a strong case to take Elano’s spot. Benfica got themselves the steal of the summer.

Pato, 5, He is pressing when he is out on the pitch for the national team. I think he wants to impress so badly that he ends up looking lost. He needs to relax while out there.

Andre Santos, 6, He came on in the last ten minutes, but was an instant improvement from Kleber

Brazil: Julio César, Daniel Alves, Lúcio, Juan e Kleber (André Santos); Gilberto Silva e Felipe Melo; Elano (Ramires), Kaká e Robinho (Alexandre Pato); Luis Fabiano.

Egypt: El Hadary; Hani Said, Wael Gomaa, Ahmed Said; Sayed Moawad, Hamed Hassan (A.Eid), Mohamed Shawky, Hosni Abd Rabbou (Elmohamadi), Ahmed Fathi; Mohamed Aboutrika e Mohamed Zidan

Técnico: Dunga Técnico: Hassan Shehata

Gols: Kaká (5) Mohamed Zidan (8) Luis Fabiano (11) Mohamed Shawky (53) Juan (37) Mohamed Zidan (54) Kaká (pen 88)

Cartões amarelo: Moawad (Egito).

Cartão vermelho: Elmohamadi (Egito).

Estádio: Free State Stadium.

Data: 15/06/2009.

Árbitro: Howard Webb (Inglaterra).