Confederations Cup Final Match Report: Brazil 3 - 2 USA

Brazil came back from two goals down at half time to beat The United States 3-2 in the 2009 Confederations Cup final, which was played at the Coca Cola Park Stadium in Johannesburg on Sunday night.

The entertaining final provided a fitting end to what has been a goal-filled ‘Festival of Champions', full of thrilling action and top class play by the world’s best footballers.

As the score-line suggests, it was very much a game of two halves as the Samba Boys struggled to find their rhythm in the first stanza, during which time they were duly punished by some ruthless play on the counter attack by Bob Bradley’s side.

The second half however was one way traffic – following Luis Fabiano’s goal 40 seconds after the restart, Brazil just kept coming at the US defence, which bowed to the pressure on a further two occasions.

Brazil were off to a positive start, earning several corners in the early stages and getting a number of crosses into the box, some of which were dealt with rather unconvincingly by the United States defenders.

However, with one of the few attacks they had, it was the US who took a surprise early lead when Jonathan Spector’s hopeful looking 10th minute ball from a fair distance out on the right found its way to Clint Dempsey, who improvised superbly, getting the faintest of touches to divert the ball just beyond the reach of Brazil goal keeper Julio Cesar.

Dempsey continues his hot run - Image from Associated Press

Brazil looked to hit back through Robinho two minutes later, but Tim Howard got down well to turn his low shot out for a corner kick. A Selecao had further chances through Felipe Melo and Maicon, but again Howard came up trumps, pulling off another two good saves. The initiative appeared to be with the Samba Boys, but in the 27th minute they were caught out with a classic counter-attack - Charlie Davies played an inch-perfect pass into Landon Donovan, whose first touch intelligently saw him evading the cover defence before sweeping the ball beyond Cesar from 18-yards out with his left foot.

Donovan gets his just rewards with his goal - Image from Associated Press

Brazil finished the half the stronger side, but could never really get into good enough positions in front of goal to overly trouble Howard. When he was tested, by the likes of Andre Santos and Robinho, the Everton goalkeeper again proved to be on top of his game. Brazil did almost manage to pull a goal back just before the break when Maicon flashed the ball across goal. Fabiano was inches away from getting on the end of the cross, but it had taken a crucial touch off the foot of American defender Carlos Bocanegra.

The complexion of the game changed dramatically just 40 seconds after the restart when Fabiano received the ball with his back to goal, took one touch, swivelled, and then picked out the bottom corner of the net, giving Howard no chance. The pressure continued to mount from the team in yellow and in the 58th minute Howard had to pull off a superb save to stop Lucio heading home a corner kick. The rebound fell to Gilberto Silva, whose close range shot deflected off Spector and over the cross bar.

Two minutes later Brazil came even closer when Kaka’s back-post header was pushed off the line by Howard onto the underside of the crossbar and back into play – replays suggested that the ball may have crossed the line. There was a brief respite for the States when Dempsey’s well-struck shot forced Cesar into conceding a corner.

But Brazil were soon back on the offensive and in the 70th minute Fabiano was put through on goal and looked set to level the match, but Howard moved off his line with blistering speed to make a wonderful close range block. The pressure finally paid off for Dunga’s side in the 74th minute when Fabiano headed home from close range after Robinho had blasted Kaka’s cross into the crossbar from only six yards out.

Fabiano equalises! - Getty Images

The come-from-behind win was completed five minutes from time when Elano’s corner kick was powered home via the head of skipper Lucio, the ball hitting the inside of the upright before ending up in the back of the net.

Joy for Brazil, Heartbreak for USA - Image from Associated Press

TEAMS
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Luisao, Andre Santos (Daniel Alves 67'), Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva, Ramires (Elano 67'), Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano

USA: Tim Howard, Jonathan Spector, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra, Benny Feilhaber (Jonathan Bornstein 74'), Ricardo Clark (Connor Casey 88'), Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Charlie Davies, Jozy Altidore (Kleystan 74')

Brazil celebrates the thrilling comeback win - Image from Reuters

This report is featured at MTNFootball.

Confederations Cup Semifinal Match Report: Spain 0 - 2 USA

A match report as seen through the eyes of a football fan in South Africa.

Feilhaber rejoices - Image from Reuters

Spain had not lost a match since November 2006. They were on a record breaking 15 match winning streak. They had not conceded a single goal during this Fifa Confederations Cup.

These were some of the facts that were rolling off the commentators tongue prior to kick-off, but after another amazing 90 minutes of soccer, the US Men's National team turned world football on it's head yet again when they defeated the mighty Spain 2-0 at Bloemfontein Stadium to advance to Sunday's final.

Tonight we witnessed a truly brilliant team performance from USA, the team who after two matches in Group B had 0 points and a goal difference of -5 somehow defied the odds to beat the unbeatable.

Coach Bob Bradley's men made their intentions clear early in the match as they tried to show Spain that they wouldn't be content with just defending. Clint Davies had the first chance when he attempted an overhead kick from inside the box but his effort went narrowly wide.

Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan both tested Casilla's with efforts from distance as the Eagles got off to a bright start despite trailing Spain in terms of possession.

Torres had Spain's first attempt on goal when Fabregas squared the ball to him, but with too much pace on the cross and an awkward angle Torres could only blast the ball into the crowd for a goal-kick.

Big Jozy Altidore scoring US 1st goal - Image from Associated Press

It was however in the 26th minute that the game turned on its head. Villarreal's 19 year old striker Jozy Altidore received a pass from Landon Donovan and the powerful striker expertly shrugged off the challenge from Joan Capdevilla before firing an unstoppable shot at Casilla's, who got a strong hand to it but still failed to keep it out.

1-0 to America and you could sense an upset was on the cards. For large parts of the rest of the match it was all about USA hanging on for dear life as the Spanish hit them with everything in their locker, but USA defended brilliantly, Jay DeMerit starring at the back with a serious of last ditch tackles and vital blocks which kept their 1 goal lead safe going into the break.

Spain emerged from the break determined to pull a goal back and probably would have were it not for a series of fine saves from Tim Howard and more goal saving tackles from DeMerit. You could sense that Spain were starting to get frustrated as they pressed forward with attack after attack, and 20 minutes from full-time the USA punished them with a goal from nowhere on the counter.

Clint Dempsey scores to kill Spain's hopes of equalising - Image from Reuters

Landon Donovan was the creator again , this time playing an inviting cross into the path of Clint Dempsey who was lurking at the far post. Sergio Ramos managed to get to the ball first but he failed to clear the danger and Dempsey capitalized on his slip up to make it 2-0 to the USA.

Spain were now visibly shocked and you you could see that the USA would win this one, even though they lost Michael Bradley in the dying moments of the match after the midfielder was shown a straight red for a two footed challenge.The Eagles held on for a memorable win that will see them taking on either Brazil or South Africa in Sunday's final.

This report is featured at SA Football Fans.

Confederations Cup Match Report: USA 3 - 0 Egypt

USA Completes Magical Comeback to Move into Semifinals!

Dempsey scores and Donovan celebrates! - Image from Associated Press

This is a fan's perspective on the match:

The USA pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in recent history when they booked their place in the Semi-Finals after beating African Champions Egypt by three goals to nil on Sunday evening in Rustenburg.

It was clear that Group B was wide open but nobody expected the USA to go through to the semi-finals after losing their first their first two matches 3-1 and 3-0. They started the day bottom of Group B, with a goal difference of -5 compared to second placed Italy who had a goal difference of +1. Which effectively meant that USA had to overcome a 6 goal deficit to advance to the semi finals, impossible?

Brazil started the match against Italy in a determined mood and were 3-0 up at the break thanks to great finishes from Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano and an own goal from Liverpool's Andrea Dossena on the stroke of half-time. This basically meant that Egypt would be advancing if they could avoid defeat by more than 1 goal against USA.

Roger de Sa jokingly said before kick-off that the Americans had already packed their bags but he couldn't have been more wrong! Charlie Davies handed the Eagles a 1 goal lead at the break when he found the back of the net in the 22nd minute. Michael Bradley doubled their lead on the hour mark after playing a neat one-two with Landon Donovan to send the group wide open! As it stood Italy was now going through instead of Egypt!

Fulham midfielder Clint Dempsey then completed one of the greatest comebacks in a Fifa Tournament when he made it 3-0 to the USA, heading home Jonathan Spector's excellent cross. This meant that if things stayed the same the USA would go through by virtue of having scored 1 goal more than Italy who they were level with on goal difference of -2.

After 90 minutes both games ended 3 - 0, which secured the USA the most unlikely of escapes as they advance to the semi-finals alongside Brazil. Brilliant night of action in what has proved to be a great Confederations Cup thus far. Well done to USA for showing great fighting spirit.

Semi Finals now look like this:
Brazil v South Africa
Spain v USA

After tonights results I wouldn't bet against a South Africa vs USA final!



This report is featured at SA Football Fans.

Fulham's Player of the Season: Clint Dempsey

Clinton "Deuce" Dempsey joined Fulham in January 2007 from MLS New England Revolution for $4million. Dempsey's dream of playing in Europe was achieved. Fulham was the ideal club at the time for an American trying to find his way in Premier League waters. Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra had made Fulham their home. Clint Dempsey came into a club where Americans are well received by the fans.

Prior to his arrival to the English Premier League, Clint Dempsey established himself as a superstar in the MLS. He was drafted by the New England Revolution in 2004. Playing in his favoured attacking midfield position, he scored seven goals in his rookie season and was promptly named MLS Rookie of The Year 2004.

He followed that rookie season with an equally eye-catching second season. In 2005, he scored 10 goals and had nine assists, including five game-winning goals (which was the third best in the MLS). He was named to the MLS Best XI.

After the 2006 World Cup, where he scored the side's only goal against Ghana, Dempsey won United States men's soccer highest individual honour when he was named Honda Player of the Year for 2006.

Dempsey announced his arrival to the Premier League in dramatic fashion. Primarily used as sub in his first season in the EPL, he came off the bench and scored the only goal in a must-win match against Liverpool in the penultimate game of the season. That win virtually guaranteed Fulham Premier League status for another season.

2007/2008 saw another season of struggle for Fulham as they battled relegation yet again. Clint Dempsey contributed six goals and two assists, playing a key role as Fulham negotiated an unlikely escape to stay in the Premier League. He ended the 2007/08 season as Fulham's top scorer with eight goals.

This season, Dempsey has again proven indispensable amid an uncertain start to the season. Nevertheless, he has started 28 games, made 835 successful passes (79% accuracy), and made 62 successful tackles (67% success rate). He has scored seven goals and made 2 assists, making him joint-top scorer at Fulham alongside Andy Johnson.
With Dickson Etuhu providing the needed defensive solidity and Danny Murphy as the creative fulcrum of Fulham's midfield, Dempsey is able to do what he does best i.e. harassing opposition into mistakes and making late runs into the box. Possessing bags of energy and immense athleticism, he has been a tireless workhorse in midfield.

He has superb close control and excellent technical abilities. His anticipation and late arrivals into the box enable him to score close-range goals, toe-pokes or tap-ins. He is an exceptionally good header of the ball, scoring headed goals ala Tim Cahill. His tenacity in midfield combined with his dribbling skills frequently results in opponents fouling him (49 fouls won).

When Fulham need energy and enthusiasm from someone, the team looks to Clint Dempsey to provide it this season He has assumed the high energy playing style of Jimmy Bullard ensuring that Bullard's absence is not missed in Craven Cottage. He has a very charismatic and infectious personality and that has endeared him to the Fulham fans and players alike.

With a gunslinger's name, Clint Dempsey is ready to lead Fulham's challenge in the new Europa League. The impact of Brian McBride's departure has been significantly reduced by the emergence of another talented American soccer star.

For me, Fulham's Player of The Season 2008/09 is...Clint Dempsey.