|
|
|
| June 18, 2005 | Saturday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 10, 1426 |
Brazil show class against hapless Greece
LEIPZIG (Germany), June 17: World champions Brazil scored an emphatic 3-0 win over European champions Greece on Thursday, with a stunning goal by Adriano the highlight of their opening Group B Confederations Cup match.
The striker’s inswinging left-foot shot from 30 metres embarrassed Greek goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis as it flew past him at his near post after 41 minutes.
But while Adriano grabbed some of the spotlight, Robinho gave further evidence he is on his way to becoming Brazil’s next great player with a superb solo performance, capped by their second goal and the Man of the Match award.
The 21-year-old Santos striker, coveted by many of Europe’s richest clubs, scored in the 46th minute after Gilberto surged through the Greek defence unchallenged before crossing for him to steer the ball home unmarked at the far post.
Substitute Juninho Pernambucano added Brazil’s third in the 81st minute, just four minutes after replacing Kaka, firing home a superbly executed free-kick from 20 metres out.
Along with the award, Robinho’s third goal in his eighth full international won the praise of coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.
Brazil were the better team in a match that was evenly balanced for most of the first half, before opening up in the second as Greece were forced out of their shell.
Despite their typically robust defending, often with seven or eight men behind the ball, Brazil’s superior technique told as the artistry of Ronaldinho, Robinho, Kaka and Adriano found increasingly large gaps in the Greek defence.
Greece could have gone ahead as early as the second minute, though, when the unmarked Sotirios Kyrgiakos wasted a clear header.
It was their last clearcut chance until first-half stoppage time when Angelos Haristeas swept the ball into the side netting with only Brazilian keeper Dida to beat.
Brazil missed a good chance after 17 minutes when Ronaldinho jinked his way past a defender to set up Robinho for a rasping shot which Nikopolidis saved superbly.
Kyrgiakos was a tower for Greece at the back and followed Adriano like a shadow all over the pitch, but was powerless to stop him scoring four minutes before the break.
Kyrgiakos had only just returned to the field after being treated for a leg injury and for once allowed some daylight between himself and Adriano, who took full advantage.
Robinho could also have doubled Brazil’s lead with the last kick of the first half when he volleyed high and wide unmarked at the far post — although he made up for that seconds after the break with Brazil’s second.
With the likes of Cafu, Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo all missing from this squad, Parreira is testing younger players like right-back Cicinho and Robinho, who both acquitted themselves well.
Greece’s German coach Otto Rehhagel, starting the match with eight of the players who won Euro 2004 a year ago, saw his team play with their usual gritty defensive strength.
But the Brazilian rearguard, helped by an outstanding Roque Junior, performed even better and in the end, there was only one team in it.
Mexico beat Japan 2-1 in the other Group B match played earlier on Thursday.—Agencies
|
|
|
|
