Brazil-Chile Recap

saw this on facebook: CONCLUSÃO: Brasil campeão, Juiz ladrão, Julio César gostosão, Cala boca Galvão, BRASIL MUITA EMOÇÃO! Rumo ao HEXA meu irmão!

“It will take the performance of the year from the Netherlands to get through to the Semis.”
We Shall See!!!

Though I would not underestimate the Dutch, I believe that if Brazil honestly tries, it can definitely win Friday's match.

And also, I keep hearing that we haven't seen Kaka perform his best…WHEN are we going to see his best?! Isn't the eliminations about time? I mean, don't get me wrong, Kaka hasn't played badly at all, but to me he still hasn't set himself apart in these games like Messi, C. Ronaldo, or even Ozil from Germany.

Yep, totally agree

How the hell has Ronaldo set himself apart?

Look, here's the thing about Kaka. Clearly his form is not great yet and clearly players like Messi and Ronaldo and Villa and Xavi have passed him. But Kaka is one of the FEW players in the world (and seriously, there are barely any) that even when they are in poor form and in poor fitness, they STILL HAVE A TANGIBLE AND STATISTICAL IMPACT on the game. Look at Real Madrid. Everyone knows he strugged with form and fitness while he was there, yet he still had like 8 goals and 8 assists. Not bad for a guy fighting injuries all year long, changing his team, his league, his role and his style of play. Look at this World Cup. Everyone knows his form hasn't been the greatest and it's own season as far as criticizing him, yet he STILL LEADS THE TOURNAMENT IN ASSISTS.

Maybe he only has one great touch or one great pass or one great run a game, but you are almost guaranteed to get SOMETHING out of him that will reflect in the scoreline.

I'll say it again, almost everyone, including a Lionel Messi, has to be enjoying a run of good form to really have an impact on the game. (With someone like Messi you have a guy who just about is ALWAYS enjoying good form.) But Kaka can still provide something even if otherwise he's struggling and that's why we need him out there.

I still don't like what Alves is doing. He was better today, there's no questioning that, but he still is hogging the ball far too much. In the first 20-25 minutes he was still crowding out Maicon, and frankly he was crowding out Kaka too.

I definitely can't criticize his effort, but I just think he's throwing off the balance of our attack. I think injecting him in the midfield works far better as a sub. Then he can use his energy against a tired opposition, but Kaka and Maicon especially would be well set in running the offense.

Not to make excuses for Kaka but the players you mention (Messi, Ronaldo & Ozil) were all playing full time for their club teams at the end of the season and are match fit.
Kaka has just recovered from what seemed like a season full of injuries. Add to that the number of games (including today's) that have been played at altitude and I think both factors contributes to his erratic form.
The hope has to be that if the Selecao reach the final he will be approaching full fitness.
Brazil v Holland will be played in Port Elizabeth. If they get to the semi's it will be played in Cape Town. Both games at sea level.
The finals will be played in Johannesburg.

A Holland supporter in a Brazil's fan page??

I've been watching, and analyzing every goddamn part of Dunga's plan, tactics and system, and i've come up with this response: BRASIL FTMFW

In this phase now, every match-game is important! Brazil will play to make a good impact in this World Cup. No doubt about it! What I predicted for Brazil vs. Chile , (3-0), came true! Let's hope that we see Kaka play to his potential because this is different from European Tournaments; not only controlling opponents, but also controlling the ball well and avoid red and yellow cards; this is really a tough World Cup!

Agree with you on Ronaldo. What has he really done so far? had 1 effort on goal against IC. Scored and assisted against an awful NK (who had played the match of their lives against Brasil and could not care less what happened after that). He did not do anything against Brazil other than those wayward so called shots on goal.

Great performance from the selecao. Juan, Silva (the wall!) and Lucio rock!!! I think they will pass the dutch test, as their defense is still very shaky. I am glad that Robinho finally scored!! Now that he is in the record, I think that will make him less selfish in front of goal. If you guys remember, I have been talking about the need for Mello to use his strong challenges not to hurt the player and get carded, but to WIN THE BALL and help launching the counter attack. Ramires did just that today. He was just the right man with these fast Chileans! Still, Dunga needs to talk to his players about these stupid cards!! we don't need that now!!

Who would want to attack Brazil now? Absolutely superb performance! Honestly, the final score could have been anything. Sure, Kaka is not there yet but he is improving. At first i thought Brazil lost something without Melo but then Ramires improved and had quite a good game except for that needless yellow card. His speed was put to good use against those mobile Chile midfielders and strikers.

As for the next match, the Dutch team is looking solid which is a bit unusual but that Robben looked scary at times yesterday. Bastos needs to be on guard

The fact that Kaka is not playing to his full potential but is still improving implies the team can still get better. But what is interesting abt the group is that it attacks as a whole and defends likewise. U see lucio initiating counter attacks and juan scoing a goal. gilberto was breaking down attacks and had a good attempt on goal. fabiano was down defending as well during cornors. kaka doesnt need to be at his best for brazil to win the WC….all they need is concentration and little bit of luck.

Spot on Sir. Well said…….

Brazil 3 Netherlands 1 on Friady is my prediction.The fact that anyone in the team can score is a scary story for the Netherlands.The team is superb going forward and on defense.GO Brazil GO.

Duvel
Dani Alves overrated, not suitable to play at centre or along with Maicon, still selfish

If some has Ramires phone number, PLZ call him to stop yellow cards
Really lot of bad touches and loose passes need to be solved before next match

My coffee during the match worked well
if you have seen sun microsystem java programming logo

gooa match waiting for the cup only ….

Stylezp
Every body can score in Brazil NT is not something new, except rarily
if you review Brazil matches through world cup may be only when
Ronaldo and Romario were there ..

Really really impressive with Lucio, best central defender at World Cup. Some peopel say that Brazil will have problems if any team to press them hardly in the way of european teams but hardly to see any team with capacity to do it and not open to their defence. You dont see realy many, if any team, who since the begining of Cup in control of the game and it doesnt matter if they score at minutes twenty or in the second half. Germany trashed Ausrtralia and england but lost with Serbia. Waiting for final Messi against Brazil

well, i see a worldcup TV advertisement that shows a bride having Brazil flag
on her face will others having German flag on their face
This suggests that the final will be between Brazil and German
The winner will be Brazil, the bride

agreed with Matt

Well played and wish to see them with world cup crown. Best of luck..

Hi Matt, Bastos really shown his colors yesterday and he was about to get a goal. Hope this will be continued since it is much required for Brazil's success going forward.

Brazil performance against Chile PLUS avoiding cards PLUS MORE DICIPLINE=HEXA

With due respect any team that makes it to the last 8 qualifying rounds are not to be taken lightly. Brasil's defence has been very tight with Lucio in charge.
My only concern is if Kaká does get the second Yellow card in the next game, who will be the right player to fill in this important role … distributing goal scoring chances and also the playmaker of our Brasil team? The only person I can think of is Ronaldinho and if Dunga still resist getting 'Dinho to play then this Brasil team will be in jeopardy of not advancing to the next stage … seriously!!

Does anybody know why Brazil and Holland have fewer days of rest than Argentina and Germany? A & G played on Sunday and their next game is on Saturday – 6 days. B & H played yesterday and their next game is on Friday – 4 days. I don't understand the scheduling.

Idomath, you must accept that Netherlands will need to raise their game Vs Brasil for sure, defensive wise, Netherlands was opened a few by Slovaks, not even a better team, Slovaks… Against Brasil those flawes by Dutch defense will be turned to goals by Brasil, for sure…. You think Dunga wont have a look at those? Dutch defense has yet to play at Brasil's Tempo…!! As we all know Brasil can play bad and win by a considerable margin these days…
Brasil also have their worries for instance the left back position (M Bastos is a bit inexperienced and Robben may eat from there), but against stronger opposition in knock out phases, Brasil never chokes… come log on here on our blog after the match on Friday and tell us what went wrong on your side…!!
Big if, if we lose we will just blame it on Dunga but this time Dunga and the boys are bringing HEXA home, where it always is anyways unless of course we want to give someone else a chance… Brasil usually do this to keep the WC tournaments interesting every four years…
We want other Nations not to stop dreaming just because we participating…
Its not the right to do that every four years we take this thing to RIO… We give it away sometimes, we just make sure every generation of great players we have get to win it once, then we give the opportunity to someone else… Every WC we participate in, each NT trembles in their boots to play us, we Brasil are never a great prospect to relish… EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS, THATS WHY YOU HERE… YOU KNOW YOUR CHANCE AS A NETHERLANDS SUPPORTER IS THAT IT DEPENDS IF WE WANT KAKA TO BE A WORLD CHAMPION AS WELL…!!
Argentines as well, are our retarded lil cousins with the exception of Lionel Messi…

MATT, i still feel Dunga made a big mistake by leaving R10 &/or Diego out because now he's out of options if Kaka gets another Y.Card, and then you have Robinho to try fill that void and who's left to score because for me Fabiano isn't as great as he's made out to be in fact he doesn't deserve the number 9 jersey just after El Phenomano R9…but we'll see….

I myself wish he had taken Ganso…I think the kid would have been better than Diego and far hungrier than Ronaldinho…the Portugal game would have been a good chance for him to get his first blood.

But anyway, as to Fabiano, Ronaldo HIMSELF said that Fabiano had earned the number 9 jersey. I think he has a really good chance to win the golden boot or whatever it's called these days. It's going to come down between Fabiano, Villa, and “look ma, I can tap the ball in!” Higuain.

My money's on Villa, but Fabiano definitely has a shot. The Kaka-Robinho-Fabiano trio really has been a thing of beauty so far.

Mduduzi, After the quarterfinals, all bookings are wiped clean.

I will go straight to the point without mincing words- Brazil played a great game!!!! All the players were outstanding including my favorite whipping boy Ramires who actually orchestrated the third goal with a magnificent solo run. More displays such as the one last night may convince me that he deserves a spot. My displeasure with Ramires is not so much that he isn't good but that we Brazil, do have better players that can play in his position and I still believe that.

Chile's fate was inevitable since we all know what happens to any team who engages in an open attacking display against us. I felt I was watching a repeat of our game with Ivory Coast. I really won't draw much conclusions from yesterday's game since It pretty much reinforced what I already knew before.

Our next game with Netherlands is the most crucial game of the tournament for us since both teams play the same formation (4-3-2-1), and they are both well balanced all around though I believe that Brazil is more solid defensively. I think the dutch may have a slight upper hand in the midfield especially with the return of Robben. This wouldn't have been the case if Kaka is 100% fit. I still think a partially fit Kaka is better than any options we currently have since he can still make a significant impact in any game but on the other hand , they have Wesley Sneijder who have been magnificent so far. Besides, objectively speaking, their bench options consisting of Affelay, Elia and Van der varrt are more superior to what we have. Overall, I will still give a slight edge to Brazil because of our intangibles- we have defenders such as Maicon, Alves, Lucio, Bastos and Juan that can score at any given game. We attack and defend en mass (unlike any other team save for Portugal) which is one quality of the present team I will always be grateful to Dunga for. He has done an excellent job creating a tight defense.

I love Bastos but he really has to tighten up defensively when facing Robben and will definitely need Juan and Felipe Melo's assistance in containing him. This is one game Elano will be really needed since his proficiency from the set piece will be very crucial to the outcome. I fail to understand why Alves takes most of the free kicks instead of Bastos whom I believe is superior to Alves in that department. Up front, we have a superior edge. As exciting as Van Persie is, Fabiano is a much more clinical finisher.

Today's game will answer some of the questions I have about other teams that worry me, specifically Spain and Portugal. This will be a clash of two cultures-defensive vs offensive mindset. How will Spain fare against arguably the best defensive team of the tournament, Portugal who have yet to concede a single goal. Looking at Portugal's record is very deceiving since they played against a Brazilian team lacking their three most creative players (kaka, Elano, Robinho) and the outcome most likely would have been different if those players were available. This certainly will not be the case when they face Spain who have an avalanche of creative players and I don't believe Portugal can withstand the pressure down the stretch. This game can really go either way but I will give a slight edge to Spain.

Sorry for the error- both teams play 4-2-3-1 instead of 4-3-2-1 as stated on the above post!!!!!!

How would you compare Brazil's attacking trio from this year of Fabiano, Kaka and Robinho to that of 2002 with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo. To some, it is not even a contest, as the 2002 was legendary and won the world cup. This one is yet to win the world cup (although they have won everything else together)

Through 4 games in 2002, Brazil had scored 15 goals (and conceded 3 goals)
Through 4 games in 2010, Brazil has scored 8 goals (and conceded 2 goals)

As you can see, with Ronaldo in 2002 as the main striker (top scorer in world cup history with a total of 15 goals), Brazil almost had double the goals. But what is better about the 2010 attacking trio, is that they are not just about attacking, but the defend and assist as well, which explains why 2 of Brazil's 8 goals so far have come from two central defenders (Juan and Maicon) which is pretty amazing. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but it tells me that when you need someone to score and the main forwards can't do it, you will have a defender stepping in to do it for you. And Brazil often needs that first goal to keep things going and then shifting to the next gear.

So, do you see any similarities or differences between 2002 and 2010's trios?

How would you compare Brazil's attacking trio from this year of Fabiano, Kaka and Robinho to that of 2002 with Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo. To some, it is not even a contest, as the 2002 was legendary and won the world cup. This one is yet to win the world cup (although they have won everything else together)

Through 4 games in 2002, Brazil had scored 15 goals (and conceded 3 goals)
Through 4 games in 2010, Brazil has scored 8 goals (and conceded 2 goals)

As you can see, with Ronaldo in 2002 as the main striker (top scorer in world cup history with a total of 15 goals), Brazil almost had double the goals. But what is better about the 2010 attacking trio, is that they are not just about attacking, but the defend and assist as well, which explains why 2 of Brazil's 8 goals so far have come from two central defenders (Juan and Maicon) which is pretty amazing. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but it tells me that when you need someone to score and the main forwards can't do it, you will have a defender stepping in to do it for you. And Brazil often needs that first goal to keep things going and then shifting to the next gear.

So, do you see any similarities or differences between 2002 and 2010's trios?

Agree with you, no comparison at all. I wonder why you are even asking such an obvious question. You have 3 players (ronaldo, Rivaldo and Dingo) that have won 6 world player of the year in total compared to only Kaka who has only won one. And besides, objectively speaking, the present trio is not even clicking consistently given that Kaka is not fully fit. Compare their present performance to last Year's confeds cup when kaka was in form!!!!

Gilberto Silva and co did a great job. It was really was not that easy as Chile pressed hard in each and every ball. Our players has put up lots of energy on that match. The score line is inspiring for the players but with only about four days rest before the match with the dutch…. I just hope that Gilberto Silva and co to prove that they are the World Champion.

The mixed nuts and chaspatis did the job. Good attempt you tried the coffee.

Please translate. I don't understand portugese or spanish. Thanks.

Paul, yellow cards reset for the next game so Kaka can get a second one and still play in the final.

Then you don't deserve to be a Brazil fan! Just kidding…:)

It says, roughly translated: Champion Brazil, thieving referee, Julia Cesar super hot, shut up Galvao (famouse Brazilian sports announcer), BRAZIL IS MUCH EMOTION! On the road to the 6th my brother!

“Elano, Melo doubtful vs. Netherlands”

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/...

GREAT!

Incorrect. If Kaká gets another yellow in the next match, and Brazil qualifies for SF, Kaká will be out. If he does not pick up another yellow and Brazil gets to the semifinal, then Kaká's yellow will be wiped off.
There is no chance of Ronaldinho as he is not in the team.
It will be a tough match – looks like to Elano or Melo !!

Hey guys, check out, below, the opinion of a former Argentina player who played Brazil in two World Cups (1982, 1990). His perspective highlights what some of us (who watched history…) have been saying about why Dunga makes Brazil play the way they do today.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/technicalstudygrou...

Yeah that was a great run he made at the end. Wish he'd have showed more composure in the box though!

Actually I think he's provided more flair than anyone else, except for maybe Robinho.

does someone know how to obtain the pictures from the FIFA website of the games? or does anyone know a website that posts pictures from the competition?

No question that Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho were all FAR more talented than Fabiano, Robinho and Kaka respectively. That trio was better than any attacking line since the 1970's team with Pele, Tostao, and Jairzinho.

That said, I think Fabiano, Robinho and Kaka make up for maybe having less raw skill with the fact that they really sync up well together. They are beautiful to watch in open space, and their understanding is just beautiful – witness the 1st goal against Ivory Coast and the 2nd goal against Chile.

The only problem is every once and awhile Kaka and Robinho both look to score when they should look to pass, but by and large I think they have been the best attacking trio of the Cup so far, although Messi, Tevez and Higuiain might have something to say about that.

Also, keep in mind that while you say we've scored 8 goals in 4 games, the Kaka-Robinho-Fabiano trio have only played in 3 together. Kaka and Robinho were out against Portugal. If they had played I am certain we would have scored at least one goal, maybe two.

Great game by Spain!!! Outcome finally decided by a superb creative combination involving Iniesta, Xavi and Villa. Glad Portugal is out, one less defensive team to worry about.

Brazil are yet to be seriously tested in this world cup so far. It is premature to assess their chances on the basis of wins against teams like North Korea, Ivory Coast and Chile. Portugal is the only quality opponent they have faced and Brazil played uninspiring football in that game. Since that game was a dead rubber, it would again be presumptuous to draw too much from it.

Brazil's first real match of the world cup will be against Holland. In my opinion that performance should give us some idea as to their chances in this world cup.

Most top teams for that matter haven't really been tested. Argentina too for all their menacing attacks haven't really been up against a top side. So their first real game will be against Germany. Same applies to Germany barring the little more than the half-challenge from England.

Looking at the way Spain played today, I feel Spain are the most battle-ready side in the World Cup at this moment. They started their campaign disastrously and fought back to top their group thus avoiding a difficult premature clash with Brazil. Today they totally dominated Portugal, something which the 1-0 scoreline fails to reflect. This was not as easy a game as Spain made it look and there were periods of play when the Portugese players were made to look like schoolboys. Ronaldo and other Portugese stalwarts were practically invisible throughout the game.

Coming out of early adversity tends to have a positive effect on the psychological strength of a team. Mind goes back to France and Italy last time around. Teams, even great teams who have their first taste of real difficulty in the final stages of a tournament may not be as ready to deal with it when compared with teams who have had it rough earlier in the tournament.

Germany too have tasted defeat in the cup and so along with Spain their run-up to the quarter-finals has not been breezy either. To what extent will that translate into on-field performance when it really matters remains to be seen and interestingly so.

Spain will crush Paraguay and march into the semi-finals majestically. This Spanish fleet will require some serious Samba stopping!

I agree. Better outcome for Brazil if they end up meeting each other and Portugal deserved to lose with their unsportsmanlike play throughout the tournament.

Given the opponents that Brazil will face from the quarter-finals onwards, it would be fairly reasonable to assume that they should make it to the finals. However, the other finalist which is likely to be either Germany, Spain or Argentina will have gone through notably more hard challenges before meeting Brazil. The intensity of football on the other side of the draw with Spain, Germany and Argentina fighting it out will certainly be higher than on the side where we have Brazil, Netherlands and comparative minnows Uruguay. I can't help but see that should Brazil make it to the finals they will face a team that would have come out of relentless, high-intensity and do-or-die football with extremely little margin for error.

Coming out of a semi-final with the likes of Uruguay is not quite the same thing as an opposition like Spain coming out a hard semi-final against Germany or Argentina for instance.

You don't know much about South American football, do you? You gave Chile no credit at all. Chile (with 10 men mind you) gave Spain a hard time in the do-or-die match in their group so much so that Spain took no risks in the last 10 mins of that match. I have no doubt that Chile would have advanced had they not faced Brazil. A game against a hard-tackling Uruguay is never easy. Please stop saying Portugal is a quality team.

Thanks but why the “shut up” for Galvao?

I never said Chile has a bad side. They play brave football; they are however far from being among the best in the world as you would probably agree. They did play well against Spain but at no point during the game could I really see Chile causing an upset. Spain played some spectacular attacking football and defended and retained ball possession just enough to beat Chile comfortably, if not emphatically. I don't think a win against Chile, a team that plays open football, something that suits Brasil, is any indication whatsoever of how Brasil would fare against top European sides like Germany, Spain or even their mercurial rival Argentina.

No knockout match is easy. Facing Uruguay or worse still Ghana would be easier for Brasil than facing Argentina, Germany or Spain in the semi-finals, unless you wish to suggest that Uruguay can be considered as stronger than or even equal to either of the three teams I just mentioned.

I am a huge fan of South American football; which according to me is best exhibited by Brasil followed by Argentina. Teams like Paraguay, Uruguay and Chile etc are no pushovers but they constitute second-string South American football and there is no basis in the past or in the present on which they can be compared with the powerhouses of European football.

Portugal lacks flair and aggression. They employ a defensive, win by attrition kind of approach which perhaps explains your dislike towards them. That doesn't mean they are a poor side. They just play differently. Boring, but effective. They are also ranked third in the world after Brasil and Spain.

Thanks

Only the champion is required
how come you are in Mauritius Farooq
you have beautiful nature there but still chapati is something else

It can work both ways. “relentless, high-intensity and do-or-die football with extremely little margin for error” can make you extremely tired & worn out. WC competition is sometimes a contest of “survival of the fittest” (i know it is a cliche). i think that is why Germany is always around in the latter stages

Well… I was born in Mauritius so I am in Mauritius. Yes you are right, chapati is something else as most of my friends say. After Brasil's win in the final i'll look for the recipe.

A very honest analysis from an argentine.

Even though your analysis of the tough teams is profound, I would only make a point as to the toughness of the test. From a soccer point of view, any great teams can be defeated; this could have happened, if Brazil did not play to really win with Ivory Coast–Remember how Ivory Coast-played in-the highest scale of nastiness. Portugal placed 9-10 defenders in front of the goalkeeper; in that way, Brazil could not score; we expect Brazil to win because they had been tested before. I agree with you concerning Holland which are always a tough test for even Argentina or Germany; however, no matter how tough is the test, Brazil will win!

Haha. Are you suggesting Aryan superiority here?! That theory has been long discarded. Do you believe in it? However, if you are suggesting that the Germans are a tough and tenacious opponent, I will agree with you. I also agree with you in that it could go either way. I just feel though that being bruised early is better than having had an open run.

The Germans are extremely meticulous and organized footballers and people. I find the German way of life compulsively and neurotically rigid, inflexible and relentlessly 'perfect'. Whether that is a virtue is matter of perception and of a separate debate. But translated to football, we have a team that is driven by the goal of perfection. That makes them especially hardy opponents. I recall the Argentina-Germany match last time around. The Argentines were clearly more skilled; they still are, but what earned Germany a victory that night was a never-say-die attitude, relentless football and superior physical conditioning.