Selecao Scores Three Against La Roja, Books Quarterfinal Match With Oranjemen

When it mattered, Brazil have stepped it up. The Selecao did just enough against North Korea, they turned it on against Ivory Coast and then conserve energy with a draw against Portugal. Chile were touted as a much harder opposition than Brazil's group opponents. The lively and quick short passes are trademarks of Chile's attacking football and have been one of the highlights of this World Cup. Chile was expected to test the South American champions footballing-wise.

With such high stakes, Brazil proved that they are made of sterner stuff these days. They made quick work of La Roja. First, they withstood an early flurry of  Chile attacks. Gilberto Silva, Ramires, Juan and Lucio knuckled down and in typical European style, rendered the Chilean attacks ineffectual. Once that occurred, Brazil could then develop their own attacks to trouble the Chile defence, devoid of suspended stalwarts Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce.

Luis Fabiano stayed on course for the Golden Boot with his third goal in four matches. O Fabuloso's goal came off a superb move involving Brazil's "Big Three" of Robinho, Kaka and Fabiano. This was proof enough that Brazil are capable purveyors of the beautiful game. In truth, once Brazil scored the second goal, the match was all over. That three-minute salvo from Brazil knocked the stuffing out of a young Chile side. The third Brazilian goal was the icing on the cake and a thing of beauty as well. Ramires, deputising for Felipe Melo, dribbled the ball samba-style, leaving five Chile players in his wake before laying the ball expertly for Robinho's curler.

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Kaka's Dismissal Overshadows Impressive Selecao Win

Brazil outclassed Ivory Coast and put three points on the board last night. They did so amidst the cynical tackles and rough plays by Les Elephants. The likes of the Toure brothers, Kalou, Dindane and Drogba could not cope with the passing and movement of the Selecao.

The physical challenges made the game less free-flowing and unfortunately it hampered Brazil's attacking rhythm. Luis Fabiano, like Maicon, chose to step up his game and against Ivory Coast, his finishing was devastating. Elano, making a habitual late run from midfield, scored in his second goal in as many matches.

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Brazil Sweats Over Kaka's Form!

It's been a hard season for Kaka at Real Madrid. So hard that there are murmurs that he has been a flop at Madrid and that he has been saving his best for Brazil in the coming World Cup. Kaka has never looked like the player who carried AC Milan on his shoulders season after season. Perhaps not being the focal point of the galacticos had taken the edge off Kaka's game. The persistent groin and thigh problems have blotted his Real Madrid career. Still he remains the best playmaker in the game and a player that undoubtedly rises to the occasion.

The form and fitness problems at Real Madrid have prompted Kaka to declare that he will be 100% in South Africa. This should allay Brazil's fears.

I'll be at 100% for the World Cup," Kaka told AS.
"I had a difficult season but there have been many cases of players who have had a bad year and then shine on the World Cup. I'm not worried at all."

Kaka was the most valuable player in the Confederations Cup last year, and that should be a reminder of the elegance and class from the "Athlete of Christ". assistmaster9 captures this succintly in this video (once you get past the dorky interview!).

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The Players Who Excite Liverpool's Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard spoke to UEFA.com on the 10th April 2009 after making his 100th European appearance in the 4-0 thumping of Real Madrid to reach the Champions League quarterfinals. He even scored two goals to celebrate his centennial match.

In that interview after the match, he spoke about four players who excite him, the four he mentioned were Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Players, Gerrard describes as being on a higher level than any other player, himself included. Without a doubt, these are the four players who set the world alight in the season of 2008/2009 thus FIFA recognized their achievements by nominating them for the World Player Award.

The nominees for 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year Award are:
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Real Madrid
2. Andres Iniesta (Spain), Barcelona
3. Kaka (Brazil), Real Madrid
4. Lionel Messi (Argentina), Barcelona
5. Xavi (Spain), Barcelona

The winner will be revealed at the 19th FIFA World Player Gala at the Zurich Kongresshaus on Monday 21 December. It will be a huge surprise if Lionel Messi does not add the FIFA crown to his UEFA crown.

As got the Gerrard interview, these were the parts I also found most interesting...7 months on and the interview still seemed relevant.

You were born and raised in the city. What does Liverpool FC mean to you?

Gerrard: It means everything to me. I've supported the club ever since I started watching football. A lot of my family are Liverpool supporters, a lot of my friends, and I still live in the city. So when we do win and get good results, and win trophies, it's nice to be part of it and enjoy it with the supporters.

What was the first game you went to at Anfield?

Gerrard: I was a young boy playing for Liverpool, I think I was eight years of age. Steve Heighway was in charge of all the young players, and he treated us to three tickets, so me, my dad and brother went to the game. We were playing Coventry City and won 3-0. Jan Molby scored three penalties, so it was a strange night.

Who was your favourite player when you were a boy?

Gerrard: After going to that first game, Jan was certainly one of my favourite players. When I started going regularly to watch Liverpool, the likes of Jamie Redknapp, Robbie Fowler and John Barnes were my heroes.

When people talk about great European Cup finals, 2005 when you came from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan will always be up there.

Gerrard: I'm going to be biased and say that the 2005 final was the best final ever. I don't think there's one that turned out the way that game did - 3-0 down, then 3-3, and then a penalty shoot-out. It was fantastic entertainment for the neutral, but to play in it was an unbelievable experience.

One of your best qualities seems to be that you never give up.

Gerrard: That's the way I've been brought up at this football club. From a very young age you're taught never to give up until the final whistle, no matter what the score is, and to keep fighting all the way till the end. And that's how I like to play the game. So many football matches have been turned around in the last couple of minutes, so it's important not to give up – and that's a message you've got to give young players.

What are your ambitions for the future with Liverpool and England?

Gerrard: I've still got many more dreams and ambitions to achieve with Liverpool. Obviously the Premier League; that's the only medal that is missing from my collection. It would be nice to lift a second European Cup, so there are still many, many things I want to achieve with the club. And obviously for England it would be nice to go to a tournament and be successful. To go one better than a quarter-final, to get into the last four, or maybe a final; that would be a fantastic achievement.

Do you see yourself as a manager in the future? Will you remain in football?

Gerrard: I have thought about it quite a few times: I'm 28 now and am certainly getting older. It would be nice to stay involved in the game. I'm not sure at what level, whether that's as a manager, a coach or whether I'll go into the media. I'm not too sure, but it would be nice to stay involved because football is so important to me.

You can view the entire interview here uploaded by lfc92erikkynwa

Confederations Cup Match Report: Brazil 4 - 3 Egypt

image from Reuters

Brazil emerged victorious from a seven goal thriller against African Champions Egypt, in what turned out to be a VERY entertaining match in Bloemfontein. The South Americans opened the scoring inside the first five minutes through a sublime finish from Real Madrid's new signing Kaka. The Brazilian attacker showed the South African crowd why Real were prepared to pay 56 Million pounds for his services as he danced through the Egyptian defence with a two brilliant flicks before calmly slotting the ball past Essam El-Hadry in the Egyptian goal.

Egypt were soon back on level terms though as Mohammed Zidan finished off a good attacking move by heading past Julio Cesar from a pinpoint cross 4 minutes later. However Brazil fought back and unbelievably re-took the lead in the 12th minute after Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano headed in from Elano's free-kick, in looked like being another high scoring match in the Confederations Cup. Brazil then extended their lead in the 38th minute when Juan scored with a powerful header from Elano's corner-kick, which left the Egyptians with a mountain to climb in the second half.

Egypt wasted little time in mounting their fight back...{Read more about this amazing match}

This report is featured at SA Football Fans