[FIFA Confederation Cup 2005] - Group B Analysis

[Regs]

Group B

Brazil
Greece
Japan
Mexico

Group B looks finely balanced
Containing the Champions of the World and South America (Brazil), Europe (Greece), Asia (Japan) and North, Central America and the Caribbean (Mexico), Group B of the FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 appears too close to call. The battle for the top two places to secure a semi-final berth is sure to be fierce.
The draw for the FIFA Confederations Cup Germany 2005 has presented football-lovers with two evenly balanced groups, with Group B holding particular allure due to the presence of four of the top 20 teams. Brazil (1st) and Japan (19th) sandwich Mexico(10th) and Greece (16th) in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, and all will no doubt be keen to show they are there on merit.

While Brazil – who scarcely need any introduction – are undeniably hot favourites for the first qualifying position, the other three teams seem more or less on a par. The dark horses remain Otto Rehhagel’s Greek side, who despite becoming Champions of Europe in Portugal this summer, have never beaten any of their opponents in this group. It is therefore difficult to hazard a prediction for Charisteas and Co., but the Werder Bremen striker will surely be aiming to shine in front of the German public.

Brazil in no mood for an upset
Winners of the 7th edition of the Gold Cup in July 2003, Mexico appear a likely contender for semi-final qualification, not least because they are the only ones to have beaten the Brazilian giants. In 20 meetings, the Tricolores have clocked up no less than five victories over the Auriverdes, along with eleven defeats and four draws. Their record against the Seleçaostands in stark contrast to that of Japan, who have failed to even draw in six encounters.

Already through to the next phase of the Asian Zone qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, the Japanese continue to rule the roost in the AFC. Since the start of the year, Zico’s charges have also started to produce some impressive performances further afield against strong opposition. They suffered narrow defeats in the Czech Republic (0-1), Serbia and Montenegro (0-1), and also Argentina (1-2), and held England to a draw (1-1) in Manchester last June.

It seems likely therefore that the fight for the second semi-final qualifying place extremely tight between Greece, Mexico and Japan. The South American and World Champions, however, are not immune to an upset - as was the case at France 2003. Outstripped by Cameroon and Turkey, Ronaldinho, Adriano et al went out of the tournament in the first round. But with one year to go before the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, the Auriverdes will be looking to show all pretenders that they aim to hang on to their throne.

 

[Regs]

Big match on Sportsnet tomorrow:

Brazil vs Greece

11:30 AM I think is the start time.

 

[TheRob]

Mexico upsets Brazil to reach semis

Associated Press

6/19/2005 6:02:07 PM

FRANKFURT (AP) - For a day at least, the king of Latin American soccer is Mexico.

Mexico upset Brazil 1-0 on Sunday in the Confederations Cup, outplaying the five-time World Cup champions with Jared Borgetti snatching the winner on a 59th-minute header.

Mexico joined Germany and Argentina in the semifinals of this high-profile showcase, a two-week tune-up for next year's World Cup.

"It's a great triumph for Mexico. It was a great battle," said Mexico 'keeper Oswaldo Sanchez.

In Sunday's other Group B game, Asian champion Japan beat European champion Greece 1-0. Greece is out of the chase to reach the semis. The other berth will be decided on Wednesday when Japan plays Brazil.

Mexico's victory gave it six points in Group B. Japan and Brazil have three each, and Greece zero.

In Group A on Saturday, Germany defeated Tunisia 3-0 and Argentina beat Australia 4-2. The semis are next weekend and the final on June 29.

In Hannover, Borgetti headed in a corner kick that beat flat-footed Brazil goalkeeper Dida. The corner was set up when Ramon Morales raced down the left side, and cut the ball across the goalmouth with Brazilian Lucio just deflecting it across the endline.

It was justice for Borgetti.

In the 29th, Roque Junior was called for pulling him down in the area.

Borgetti scored the first penalty, but the play was called back by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti. He ruled a Mexican player strayed into the area. His next penalty attempt went off the crossbar, but Rosetti also called that one back. He said Dida moved off the goal-line before the shot.

The third attempt was stopped by Dida diving to his right.

It was also a sweet victory for Mexico's Argentine coach Ricardo Lavolpe.

"It's never easy playing against a great team like Brazil," Lavolpe said. "My players made a double effort to secure this result."

Brazil controlled most of the first half with Adriano, Ronaldinho and Robinho getting several good chances. In the first 25 minutes, Brazil outshot Mexico 8-0. Mexico got its first shot in the 27th when Morales struck a hard drive from the left wing into 'keeper Dida's hands.

But Mexico edged back, seemingly encouraged by the penalty mix up.

"We could have finished the game off in the first half," said Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. "We had plenty of chances. We weren't quick enough and we had trouble finding any gaps in their defence."

In Frankfurt, substitute Masashi Oguro's goal in the 76th minute lifted Japan over Greece. Oguro, who came on in the 66th, took a through ball from Shunsuke Nakamura and slipped it past Greek 'keeper Antonis Nikopolidis from 10 yards.

Japan had far more chances but had trouble finishing.

"It was important for us to beat the European champions, but more importantly to show the ability of the Japanese players," said Japan's Brazilian coach Zico. "We played a good match, but I wish we had scored more. We had so many chances."

Asked why his players had trouble scoring, he said: "It's not technique, it's a psychological problem. Japanese players are too hectic in front of the goal."

A year after winning the European championship, Greece is in trouble. Greece was beaten 3-0 by Brazil on Thursday. Greece is also coming off a loss to Ukraine in World Cup qualifying, hurting its chances of reaching next year's finals in Germany.

"Japan was a class better today," Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel said. "We were lucky we didn't lose by more."

Greece played without two key injured defenders - Michalis Kapsis was out with a hamstring injury, and Giourkas Seitaridis was sidelined with a knee injury. The Greeks were also without captain Theodoros Zagorakis, who played on Saturday for club team Bologna.

I miss Jorge Campos and his colourful jerseys.

Brazil has drawn with Japan and have also advanced to the semis from this group.

 

[knvb]

I happen to catch the Brazil - Japan match last night and wasn't disappointed at all. Brazil is so terrific to watch when they fancy it. The ball just never seems to stop. Japan for that matter, wasn't bad in spells as well, though I think a draw flattered the Japanese a bit. They scored on a very savable strike from 35 out, IMO and off a great free kick that rebounded to Johnyson on the spot. Both of Brazil's goals were bits of class.

Brazil have Germany now I hear?

 

[Captain Shamrock]

I saw the game too, KNVB, and Brazil is FANTASTIC going forward. The movement off the ball is only comparable to what will be on display at the Langley turf next Tuesday.


Robinho is super.

 

[Regs]

Robinho is super.

Thank you.



Brazil was/is awesome going forward. What really got me thinking last night though was the way Japan played. A lot of skill and poise on the ball with a bit of vision and imagination thrown in. What the fcuk is wrong with that picture? Why is Canada not in the same boat? Why can't we as a soccer nation get someone like Leonardo as coach?

Seriously, enough of this 'old country' shite leading us nowhere, let's get some South American influence leading us. Every nation that has come out of nowhere to play attractive football has used this tactic it seems.

The more I watch, the more frustrated I'm getting

 

[Keeper]

The more I watch, the more frustrated I'm getting

I have a similar reaction to pornography.