Brazil Defeat South Korea 2-0 Thanks To Goals By Neymar and Oscar

Brazil marched to a decisive 2-0 victory against South Korea on Saturday thanks to goals by Neymar and Oscar. Confronted with a pacy, skilled South Korean side playing at home in Seoul, Brazil struggled to break down the South Korean defense in the opening stages despite owning the lion’s share of possession. Luiz Felipe Scolari fielded his trademark 4-3-3 formation marked by David Luiz and Dante in central defense, and first choice fullbacks Dani Alves and Marcelo on the right and left wing, respectively. Dante started alongside Luiz given the recent injury to captain Thiago Silva. With the exception of goalkeeper Jefferson, the rest of the Brazil squad remained the same as the one used for the recent friendly against Portugal with Neymar, Jo and Hulk leading the attack in front of Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho and Oscar. Scolari substituted Ramires for Hulk in the second half as the Zenit striker lacked a quality first touch on the ball and failed to find his rhythm.

Brazil attacked effectively in the first half with Marcelo and Dani Alves roaming up and down the flanks in ways that recalled the brilliance of Roberto Carlos and Cafu, from another generation. Neymar challenged the Korean keeper with a long range, free kick on target in the 10th minute and Hulk had a golden opportunity in the 14th minute when a pass from Jo left him with the onrushing keeper to beat, although he failed to flick the ball over Jung Sung-Ryong as required. Korea’s most promising opportunity came in the 27th minute and immediately thereafter, when Lee Chung Young whipped in a promising cross that David Luiz expertly cleared before either Jefferson or Ja Cheol arrived at the ball. South Korea subsequently won two additional corners that Luiz and Marcelo succeeded in clearing, leaving the match scoreless going into the last 15 minutes of the first half.

After receiving some rough treatment on the left flank from the Korean defense in the form of multiple harsh challenges, Neymar continued to lead Brazil’s search for the go ahead goal by dropping deep into midfield and orchestrating attacks that flowed through both sides of the field. The Barcelona starlet was ultimately rewarded in the 44^th minute when a streaming run on goal resulted in a free kick that he deftly curled just inches inside of the near post to make it 1-0 Brazil. Neymar's spectacular free kick goal illustrated how Brazil needed a dead ball situation to break down a disciplined, speedy Korean team that had done well to neutralize the attacking threat posed by the overlapping fullbacks.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with Brazil attacking in waves and Korea responding on the counterattack, until a moment of magic from Oscar made it a two goal game. A visionary pass from Paulinho sliced open the center of the Korean defense, enabling Oscar to navigate around the keeper and score with a powerfully struck left footed shot. Up two goals, Scolari brought on Hernanes and Lucas Leiva for Luiz Gustavo and Paulinho, giving Leiva his first Selecao appearance since 2011 under Mano Menezes. Brazil later substituted Maxwell for Marcelo in an apparent attempt by Scolari to give his bench players valuable experience at the international level.

Korea delivered an admirable performance all around and displayed their legendary physical fitness and persistence until the dying minutes. Lucas Leiva and Hernanes found themselves preoccupied with defensive duties until the close of the match, as did Maxwell, who assumed more of a defensive role than his counterpart Marcelo. Once again, however, it was Neymar who stole the show for Brazil alongside a heroic performance by David Luiz in the captain’s armband. Luiz took command of the Brazil defense in the absence of Thiago Silva and cleared the ball on many an occasion in which the Korean attack opted for the aerial route into the box. Oscar, meanwhile, delivered one of his most impressive, recent performances in the Brazil shirt such that fans will be looking for the Neymar-Oscar chemistry to develop further as Brazil’s preparations for the 2014 World Cup continue. Neymar has now scored a whopping 27 goals in 43 appearances for Brazil. 

Neymar Scores Sensational Solo Goal As Brazil Defeat Portugal 3-1 In Boston

Brazil came from a goal behind to defeat Portugal 3-1 at the Gillette Stadium in Boston on Tuesday evening. The match began at an electric pace marked by end to end football and highly physical challenges that resulted in Brazil’s Neymar, in particular, finding himself on the receiving end of a series of tough tackles and an elbow to the face. Even though Portugal were missing Cristiano Ronaldo due to injury, they delivered an impressive first half in which they pressured Brazil and took advantage of Maxwell’s lack of international experience on Brazil’s left flank by whipping in dangerous crosses from the right side of the field.

Portugal’s persistence and positive attitude paid off in the 18^th minute when Raul Meireles slotted the ball into the back of the net after a failed Maicon clearance, giving Paulo Bento’s team a 1-0 lead over the five time World Champions. Roughly five minutes later, Brazil captain Thiago Silva earned his second ever international goal after heading in the ball from a Neymar corner to even things up and sway the momentum of the match Brazil’s way for the first time since the opening whistle.

Posterboy Neymar scored a sensational solo goal in the 34^th minute by picking up the ball outside of the box and running at the heart of the Portuguese defense despite being surrounded by five players. The Brazil number 10 maintained his balance within a flock of red Portuguese shirts and coolly dispatched the ball past the keeper’s right hand to make it 2-1 Brazil. Portugal managed to maintain their composure despite having conceded two goals in 10 minutes and continued to press the attack for the remainder of the first half with furious intensity.

Four minutes into the second half, Neymar fed Maxwell a pass on the left flank which the Paris-Saint Germain defender crossed to Jo, who tumbled the ball into the back of the net to Jo to make it 3-1 Brazil. Leading by two goals, Brazil reduced the intensity of their attack and brought on a bevy of substitutes including Oscar, Hernanes, Henrique, Lucas Moura and Alexandre Pato. Much of the remainder of the match became an exercise in Brazil defending against a determined and skillful Portugal team. Absent Ronaldo, Nani tried his hand at a number of free kick opportunities but invariably scuppered the ball over the crossbar. In the 78^th minute, Nani missed another golden opportunity when Vierinha's cross was intercepted by a horizontal leap from Thiago Silva, whose header clearance ensured the scoreline stayed at 3-1.

Once again, Neymar stole the show for Brazil by assisting with one goal, scoring from a sensational solo effort and then proving instrumental in setting up Brazil’s third goal. Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will be pleased that his team walked away from the match with a decisive result and impressive performance despite the absence of his favored fullbacks, Dani Alves and Marcelo. Jo continues his resurrection of form but the most memorable moment of the game will surely be Neymar’s brilliant solo goal that recalled the pace and composure of Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

Neymar and Jo Lead Brazil To 6-0 Victory Against Australia

Brazil cruised to a 6-0 victory over Australia in today’s friendly in Brasilia in an impressive display of goalscoring skill, aerial prowess, midfield creativity and defensive hussle. Brazil’s victory was all the more remarkable given the absence of Fred, Hulk, Oscar and Dani Alves due to injury, although replacements Jo, Bernard, Ramires and Maicon delivered stellar performances in their absence. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari fielded his standard 4-3-3 formation with Ramires playing the role of Oscar as the attacking midfielder behind the attacking triumvirate of Neymar, Jo and Bernard. The match marked the first game played by the Selecao in Brazil since their 3-0 victory against Spain in the final of the Confederations Cup, and the hosts were eager to please their fans on independence day at Brasilia’s Mané Garrincha Stadium. Brazil dominated the proceedings throughout the entire game by winning the ball in midfield, maintaining possession and pressuring their opponents to the point where they could barely escape their own half. Scolari’s team romped to victory on the back of six goals as follows:

In the 8th minute, Neymar found the space to float a cross to Bernard, who volleyed a shot that ricocheted off the post and fell to Jo, who tapped in the rebound.

In the 34th minute, Maicon slipped a pass to Bernard on the right flank, and the Shaktar Donetsk midfielder fired a cross that Jo dispatched by way of a two footed leap that displayed the poise of a centreforward in the hottest of form.

In the 36th minute, a visionary pass from Ramires cut open the Australian defense and gave Neymar the opportunity to flick the ball past the keeper’s left hand to make it 3-0.

In the 57th minute, substitute Maxwell found the head of Ramires, and the Chelsea man rewarded Scolari’s decision to recall him to the Selecao with a goal from a powerful, leaping header.

In the 74th minute, Hernanes lobbed a pass over the Australian defense that Neymar crossed into the path of substitute Alexandre Pato, who deftly flicked the ball into the corner of the net to make it 5-0.

In the 84th minute, the Australian defense allowed Luiz Gustavo way too much space on the ball and the VfL Wolfsburg midfielder sent a rocket of a shot into the top right corner of the net to make it 6-0 for his first ever international goal.

Today’s victory illustrated the following key points regarding the Selecao’s evolution:

• Bernard may be the logical replacement for Hulk on the right flank, particularly if the latter continues to fail to find the back of the net. Bernard pressured the Australia defense with a sustained display of skill, speed and creativity. The Shaktar Donetsk winger lacks the physical presence of Hulk, but is clearly a viable alternative given his pace, dribbling ability and vision.

• Ramires proved that he represents another midfield option for Scolari with his assist for Neymar, goal and inspired overall play. Today, Ramires took over the role played by Oscar in a stunning illustration of Brazil’s depth. Expect the competition for one of three spots in Scolari’s midfield to intensify as the likes of Tottenham’s Sandro and Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva regain their form as well.

• Alexandre Pato’s goal and Jo’s performance allay fears that Brazil is excessively dependent on Fred’s predatory instincts to supply them with goals. Pato’s recovery of his fitness at Corinthians represents a boon for world football at large, and the 24 year old striker may well find his return to form synergistically boosted by international duty.

Overall, today’s game represented a phenomenal result for the Selecao. Neymar, in particular, delivered an impressive display in the number 10 shirt for Brazil by his illustrating his strengths as a team player in addition to a scorer of goals. Brazil next face a sterner test on Tuesday in their friendly against Portugal, the team that Luiz Felipe Scolari led to the European championship finals in 2004.

Alexandre Pato And Marcos Rocha Recalled For Brazil Friendlies; Kaka Returns To AC Milan

Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato and Atletico Mineiro right fullback Marcos Rocha have been recalled to the Brazilian national team to replace the injured Fred and Dani Alves, respectively, for upcoming friendlies against Australia and Portugal. Former AC Milan striker Pato has expressed delight at the call-up, noting that the chance to serve the national team was exactly what he was seeking by returning to Brazil. Pato recently scored two goals in a 4-0 victory by Corinthians over Flamengo. Pato’s first goal came from a poaching tap in from a Romarinho pass, while the second goal was scored from an almost impossible angle from the right flank after having beaten the Flamengo keeper.

Marcos Rocha, meanwhile, has been capped only once for Brazil but remained on the bench having been omitted from the team that played against Argentina in a superclassico match in 2012. Brazil’s second choice for the right fullback position remains up for grabs although AS Roma’s Maicon is likely to start against Australia over Rocha. Rocha’s selection suggests that a berth in the Brazil squad for the 2014 World Cup may be beyond the sights of Manchester United’s Rafael de Silva as a result of his poor performance in the 2011 Olympic final.

Meanwhile, Kaka prepares to resurrect his career by returning to AC Milan, the club where he won the Scudetto, a Champions League title and the Balloon d’Or. Kaka has signed a two year contract for AC Milan and hopes to reinvent himself at the Rossoneri by playing behind Mario Balotelli and using his experience and positional awareness to compensate for a slight diminishment in his explosive pace. Italy, recall, is the place where Brazil’s Ronaldo recovered his form after years of injury and heartache, before taking the World Cup by storm in 2002 by scoring eight goals throughout the tournament including two in the final. We should expect Kaka to work his heart out at the San Siro in the hopes of a World Cup recall and emphatic return to form that parallels that of the great Ronaldo.

Brazil's Luiz Felipe Scolari Recalls Maicon and Ramires For Portugal And Australia Friendlies

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari named a strong squad for upcoming friendlies against Australia and Portugal in what amounts to the clearest possible indication that “Big Phil” is closing in on his final roster for the 2014 World Cup. Scolari recalled Ramires and Maicon to the squad for the first time since taking charge of the Brazilian national team in late 2012 despite controversy over Ramires’s wife’s remarks that the Brazilian national team operated like a “mafia”. Brazil play Australia in Brasilia on September 7 and Portugal in Boston on September 10.

Scolari elaborated on his selection of Ramires and Maicon for the Australia and Portgual friendlies as follows:

We have solved the problems we had with Ramires and he deserves to be with us. I have been watching him recently and he has been doing very well. Maicon has always been great for Brazil. He is at Roma now and I want to watch him in these two matches. I’m happy to give him the chance – he is another player who deserves it.

Ramires will be part of Scolari’s mouthwatering six options in the center of the park alongside Fernando, Luiz Gustavo, Paulinho, Hernanes and Oscar. Maicon, meanwhile, is Scolari’s backup for Dani Alves and is favored over Manchester United’s Rafael because of his World Cup experience and strong performances for Brazil, more generally. Maicon scored Brazil’s opening goal at the 2010 World Cup with a right footed shot from near the corner kick spot against North Korea. Under Dunga, Maicon was Brazil’s favored right back but his form has suffered of late because he struggled to gain playing time with Manchester City in the 2012-2013 season. The other surprise inclusion is centre-back Henrique, the 6+ foot tall defender who plays for Palmeiras. Paris Saint-Germain left back Maxwell gets another call up as well.

Key points from today’s squad selection are as follows:

•The squad features most of the 2013 Confederations Cup squad in a sign that “Big Phil” is now putting the finishing touches on a squad where the core base of players has largely been selected.

•Scolari is focusing on cementing his back-line with reserves to complement his favored choice of Dani Alves, David Luiz, Thiago Silva and Marcelo. At the Confederations Cup, he had selected Rever alongside Dante as alternative central defenders. Dante started for Brazil in the recent friendly against Switzerland. Expect Dante, in particular, to get more playing time and international experience as the World Cup draws closer.

•Brazil’s midfield is bursting with pace, tough tackling, dribbling ability, vision and creativity. As Oscar steps into the role previously played by Kaka, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo as Brazil’s visionary playmaker and attacking midfielder, expect Scolari to make some tough choices about which two midfielders play behind him in Brazil's 4-3-3 formation.

•Scolari chose Bernard and Jo, here, as backups to Oscar and Fred respectively. We should expect Neymar, Fred and Hulk to lead the attack but should also get ready to see some matches where Neymar does not start in order to plan for the unforeseen scenario where the Barcelona youngster suffers from illness or injury.

•Brazil continue to avoid selecting Ronaldinho and Kaka in what appears to be confirmation that the sun may have set on their international careers.

Brazil will be eager to avenge their recent shock 1-0 loss to Switzerland. Meanwhile, Scolari will be eagerly preparing to face Portugal, the team that he coached and the led to the European Championship final in 2004.

Brazil Squad For September 2013 Friendlies Against Australia And Portugal

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (QPR), Jefferson (Botafogo)

Defenders: Dani Alves (Barcelona), Maicon (Roma), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Henrique (Palmeiras)

Midfielders: Fernando (Shakhtar Donetsk), Hernanes (Lazio), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Strikers: Neymar (Barcelona), Lucas Moura (Paris Saint-Germain), Hulk (Zenit), Fred (Fluminense), Jo (Atletico Mineiro)

Brazil Squad For Switzerland Friendly on August 14

Brazil’s 20 man squad for the August 14 friendly against Switzerland features everyone included in the 23 man Confederations Cup squad with the exception of Rever, Filipe Luis, Jadson and goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and technical director Carlos Alberto Parreira have been characteristically tight lipped about their tactics and plans for the upcoming game. Scolari is likely to field Paris Saint-Germain’s Maxwell on the left flank in the event that Brazil garner a comfortable lead as he explores backups to the first choice fullbacks Dani Alves and Marcelo. Otherwise, we should expect exactly the same squad that started in the Confederations Cup final against Spain given that Scolari’s vision is based on building understanding and camaraderie amongst a small group of players in contrast to the revolving door philosophy of his predecessor, Mano Menezes. This squad does not feature a realistic backup for Dani Alves although we should expect Scolari to recall Maicon and Manchester United's Rafael for that spot in upcoming friendlies.

Brazil Squad Against Switzerland

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Queens Park Rangers), Jefferson (Botafogo).

Defenders: Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Jean (Fluminense), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain).

Midfielders: Fernando (Shakhtar Donetsk), Hernanes (Lazio), Luiz Gustavo (Bayern Munich), Paulinho (Tottenham), Oscar (Chelsea), Lucas Moura (Paris Saint Germain)

Strikers: Hulk (Zenit), Bernard (Atletico Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense), Neymar (Barcelona), Jo (Atletico Mineiro)

Brazil Thrash Spain 3-0 In Confederations Cup Final Through Goals From Neymar And Fred

Brazil defeated reigning World Champions Spain 3-0 to secure their third consecutive Confederations Cup title and restore their reputation as one of the best footballing nations in the world at the Maracana Stadium on Sunday. Brazil’s victory ended Spain's unbeaten streak of 29 competitive matches, and heralded the emergence of a new generation of Brazilian players that will attempt to hoist the World Cup trophy on Brazilian soil in 2014. Brazil's defeat of Spain, on June 30, coincided with the same date eleven years ago, when coach Luiz Felipe Scolari led Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup final. Sunday’s win means Brazil have now secured consecutive victories against France, Japan, Mexico, Italy, Uruguay and Spain, thereby beating four World Cup Champions (France, Italy, Uruguay, Spain) in the last month.

The match got off to an electric start when Hulk’s cross from the right flank fell to Fred, who had fallen in the box but nevertheless managed to dispatch the ball into the roof the net to make it 2-0 in the 2nd minute. The crowd in the Maracana stadium exploded with delight upon Fred’s goal, and subsequently cheered every time Brazil touched the ball, while conversely booing Spain whenever they had possession. Spain appeared shocked by Fred’s goal and almost went down 2-0 within 10 minutes when Oscar squandered by a golden opportunity by shooting the ball just wide of the net after receiving a flick from Fred. The opening minutes witnessed highly heated play from both teams, with players from both sides making aggressive tackles that ended up seeing Arbeola and Sergio Ramos receive yellow cards within the first 30 minutes.

Brazil’s defensive midfielders Paulinho and Luiz Gustavo proved critical to disrupting any attempt by Spain to settle into their tiki-taka passing rhythm. The entire Brazil team, however, applied pressure to Spain anytime they obtained possession as Hulk, Oscar, Marcelo and Dani Alves chased down every ball and thwarted attempts by Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets to build up through midfield using La Roja’s trademark possession game. Ruffled, Spain began resorting to long range shots or high crosses delivered from the flanks as they found themselves unable to penetrate down the center. Spain’s best chance of the evening came in the 40th minute, when Pedro picked up a pass from Juan Mata and unleashed a shot that was heading straight into goal had it not been for a miraculous last minute clearance by David Luiz, who skied the ball over the bar with his right foot. Minutes later, however, Brazil challenged the Spain goal when Oscar began a dangerous attack with Neymar and Fred, and ultimately passed to Neymar from the center of box. The Brazil number 10 sent a rocket of a shot into the roof of the net to make it 2-0 Brazil on the edge of halftime.

Things only got worse for Spain minutes into the second half, as Marcelo cut inside and found Hulk in an attacking midfield position. Hulk laid off the ball to Fred after Neymar dummied receipt of the pass, allowing Fred to calmly dispatch the ball into the corner of the net to make it 3-0 after 47 minutes. Spain almost pulled a goal back when substitute Jesus Navas drew a penalty for a foul by Marcelo, but Sergio Ramos curled the ball wide of goal to leave the scoreline at 3-0. Spain continued to press while Brazil, conversely, continued to apply pressure on every Spanish attempt at possession and began attacking on the counterattack given their three goal lead. The complexion of the match unalterably changed, however, when Pique received a red card for fouling Neymar on a dangerous counterattacking opportunity for Brazil. Down to ten men, Spain showed the mettle of champions by threatening Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar on a couple of occasions, while failing to score, nevertheless.

Overall, Brazil demonstrated convincingly that Spain are not only beatable, but are intensely vulnerable to a strategy based on sustained pressure in midfield that disrupts their passing game. Meanwhile, off the pitch, the debate in the Brazil about the value of the World Cup and the government’s social and economic policies is likely to continue. More than 11,000 police and troops were deployed to guarantee security for the players and 78,000 fans who packed the Maracana stadium. For Brazil football fans, however, it was a night full of joy and celebration as Luiz Felipe Scolari and team showed that the sun may finally have set on the Spanish footballing throne and that, in its place, a new generation of Brazilian footballers led by Neymar, Oscar and Paulinho is ready to pick up the mantle as preparations for World Cup 2014 continue in earnest. Brazil now have a year to tweak their team and strategy ahead of the 2014 World Cup and should expect their FIFA ranking to skyrocket from its current, highly disingenuous ranking of 22.