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OK...so it seems far fetched. Did you watch the brazil v SA last night. SA are an embarassemnt to the nation wrt football. They regularly get booed off their own pitch, I know I live here. All ref decisions went SAs way. SAs first free kick, even the commentator said where is the brazil wall? On a number of occasions brazilians could be seen walking away from the ball. Brazil is renouned for defence, yet only played 2 players at any one moment were in defence positions. On one occasion SA kick the ball off another SA player past their own line directly infront of an official, yet it was a goal kick to SA? Brazil only started playing 10mins before the end...was awareded 1 free kick...and scored 2 mins before the end of play. Dont be so naive about football, its been a fixed event for years...or have you forgotten the english goalkeepers, 2 in succession claiming they fixed games. SA clearly bought a good appearance, not a win, but FIFA are a business and they dont want the hosts of the world cup to go down as useless, which they are.
What you saw yesterday happens a lot for Brazil. Brazil wins games in two ways. Either they go out and kill a team (i.e. the games against the U.S. and Italy) or they struggle and win at the last minute. (i.e. the games against Egypt and South Africa).
Brazil has done that for years. It isnt conspiracy, it is just the way the game went.
Wrt the US ability in the confed cup. Nice try but a bit obvious dont you think? How does a nation that is ranked 40 beat the african champions that very nearly put brazil to the sword...3 - 0? Yet throughout the game they proved to have absolutely no ball handling ability what so ever! How is it possible that this same dreadful team go on and beat the number one rated in the world 2 - 0? If you watch the goals back you will see how Alonzo clearly steps over a ball in his own area and flicks it very cleverly back into play, secondly the spanish keeper who is world class clearly dives short. The US proved once again throughout the match to have no real football skills and yet they won 2 -0. Just a question, but how much do you think boosting a nations moral is worth when they are in an ecconomic self-inflicted crisis...in dollars?
First off, I had to read your post like 5 times to decipher what you are saying.
Second, are defense and goalkeeping not football skills? The US defenders and Tim Howard put on a fantastic performance to win that game.
Finally, the US win will have no impact on our financial struggles.
1. More confidence. Sagging back after goals is both embarrassing and a sign of fear & weakness.
2. Better athletes. Did we win one single header save for those by fullbacks? No. Not even close.
3. Better vision. Once on the Brazil side of the pitch, US players almost acted surprised. On the flip side, Brazil start to let the machine of unfold its wings. Save for Donovan and Dempsey, US midfielders and strikers plyaed scared and tentative.
4. Better passing. US was awful. So many balls given right back. Gotta believe!!
5. Better reception of the ball. Learn from the Italians who are the truly gifted in this department.
6. Better strategy and tactics when leading. The US in soccer is like the USA amateur hockey teams used to play and like overachieving NFL teams and coaches play when they are just happy to be there. They sag, They move off the ball. They dump the ball/puck.
Until we do these things we will remain on the roller coaster ride of whether we can get out of the first round of the World Cup.
S.
P.S. But...let me add that this was exciting stuff and the Donovan goal one arguably the prettiest in US football history. Great tournament for the lads.
Leave Beasley on the bench. Bring in the youngbloods!!!!
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Heck of a match
