Confederations Cup - Dunga foresaw Alves free-kick

Eurosport - Fri, 26 Jun 13:25:00 2009

Brazil coach Dunga said he brought on Daniel Alves as a late substitute specifically if his team earned a free kick near South Africa's goal the player could win the game - which is exactly what happened.

FOOTBALL Confederations Cup 2009 Brazil South Africa Maicon Dani Alves - 0

Alves replaced Andre Santos in their Confederations Cup semi-final against the host nation, who had kept out Brazil for 82 minutes and had carved the better chances.

"The match was very even and I decided we needed a quick, aggressive player, a specialist at set-pieces," Dunga said.

"Daniel Alves trains every day at set-pieces and I thought if we had a few opportunites left to try and win the match with a free kick in front of goal, he would be the man.

"It turned out perfect for us (with an 88th-minute free kick winner from Alves) but it was a very difficult game. They made it very hard for us. We knew South Africa were going to counter-attack and defend very deeply and they did."

Dunga said it was special to be facing a South African side managed by his former Vasco da Gama manager, Brazilian Joel Santana.

"Without a doubt," he said, "not only because he is a Brazilian coach but all his assistants are Brazilian and this made our task all the more difficult."

Looking ahead to Sunday's final against United States, who Brazil beat 3-0 in the group stage last week, Dunga said: "They have their own peculiar way of playing.

"We will sit down and analyse what we have to do to beat them but that will not be easy either."

South Africa coach Santana said he was pleased with his team's performance.

"We played very well, we defended well and I am very proud of my team for holding one of the best teams in the world and the five-times world champions for 88 minutes," said Santana.

"Perhaps we even surprised them with the way we played but we could have been a bit calmer in front of goal. We have another year to prepare ourselves for the World Cup and we have a very strong foundation to build on now."

While Brazil face the US in Sunday's final, South Africa meet Spain in the third-place playoff the same day.

That match though will not have quite the same emotional effect on Santana as playing Brazil.

"It was amazing to play against Brazil, my own country and the land of my birth. It was emotional and I am happy and proud," he said.

Reuters

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  1. But for the fact that the boys from South Africa played­ the usual 'my girl-friend come and watch­ me'football which is typical of African players,­ Brazil would have been preparing for third place match­ against Spain. South Africa clearly dominated play and­ had the match for their kitty. Some of them­ inexplicably and unnecessarily started holding on to­ the ball where a pass could have resulted into the much­ needed goal. That would have been a killer punch just­ like the USA did to Spain. I think all African teams­ must learn from this match and recognise the fact that­ football is a team game and it should be played as­ such. By and large, they gave a good account of­ themselves.Better luck next time.

    CALEB AROGUNDADE

    From Caleb, on Fri 26 Jun 1:41PM

  2. " We know South Africa were going to­ counter-attack and defend very deeply and they­ did" - Dunga. Someone please tell me if the­ man's on drugs or whether he was watching a­ different game?

    Brazil were completely bereft of ideas­ and inept. It appeared as if they didn't want to be­ there and so coudln't be bothered. Was it the­ altitude or did they deliberately want to lose so as to­ test themselves against spain?

    But for a lack of­ clinical finishing or a striker or note - Ben Macarthy,­ Brazil would be playing spain.

    Players like Melo and­ Santos, not to mention Ramires who has no shred of­ Brazilian blood in him, should be banned from wearing­ the legendary yellow and blue jersey, they were an­ absolute disgrace.

    From EDMUND, on Fri 26 Jun 12:05PM

  3. did not see the game actually, but i have been­ following the fortune of brazil national team through­ the qualifiers.they are in good ingood in form!in dunga­ they may have a genius!

    From george, on Fri 26 Jun 11:22AM

  4. a bunch of no hoper's and brazilian's no body­ should not scared of. they are not the of the­ team's of the 70's and 80's yanks sould­ stick to grid iron football

    From Ian, on Fri 26 Jun 11:00AM

  5. l foresee a very difficult match for both Brazil and­ the US. However, experience will enable Brazil triumph­ but possibly with the slimest of marging. Good­ tornamenr, great teams altogether.

    From fredxt, on Fri 26 Jun 10:53AM

  6. @saddiQ the line reads who brazil beat 3-0 in the group­ stage there is nothing to be corrected

    From Elu, on Fri 26 Jun 10:12AM

  7. brazil 10 usa 1/2, come on brazil sink them again

    From siamand, on Fri 26 Jun 10:09AM

  8. crazy fans

    From marekolczyk, on Fri 26 Jun 10:04AM

  9. poo waaa - eSport - Usa beat Brasil 3-0? Was that in­ Florida or Las Vegas? Hey hey correct that immediately.­ Not even in their wildest dreams.

    From saddiQ, on Fri 26 Jun 9:57AM

  10. What a goal that was. one of Barcelona's best.

    From thrrgegt, on Fri 26 Jun 9:53AM
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