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Mexicans beat Latin foes, Greece out.
Mexico scored a memorable victory at the Confederations Cup as they defeated pretournament favourites Brazil 1-0. The victory secured their place in the semi-finals of the Cup while securing Greece's place out of the top two.
The Latin showdown lived upto it's reputation as the most colourful and exciting prospect of the first round with a lively crowd and pumped players. And Mexico took the initiative early, taking the game to the Brazilians and starving them of possession. It would take Brazil 15 minutes before they could take some sort of control of play against their northern opponents.
Robinho had two chances early as did Adriano but Mexico's keeper, Oswaldo Sanchez, was too good. Mexico was weathering the Brazilian storm well.
On 29 minutes Mexico had a triple penalty fiasco take place after Jared Borgetti was brought down in the penalty area by Roque Junior. The penalty was taken by Borgetti and was put away however celebrations were halted as the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken due to encrochment by the Mexicans. The second attempt crashed into the crossbar and the referee ordered it be taken again due to the Brazillians encroaching. Brazillian protests were waved away as Borgetti Vs. Dida faced went into the third and deciding round. This time Borgetti shot to Dida's right and the Brazillian keeper dived to save.
Brazil picked it up and started firing shots left, right and centre at the Mexican goal. Each one would suffer the same fate as they went in at half time 0-0.
The second half saw Brazil attacking and Mexico holding. It was this way until Mexico's swift passing game paid dividends. On the counter attack Ramon Morales saw his shot deflected wide by Lucio for a corner. The resulting cross saw Borgetti rise the tallest and nod the ball home on 59 minutes.
Brazil were stunned into action as they spent the next half hour attacking. Tactical substitutions came into play as Mexico and Brazil used their benches. Mexico's sole objective to hold out the brazilians worked as Brazil stuttered to a defeat at the hands of Mexico.
While Mexico's victory was the talking point of the night, Japan had a win that was just as impressive and important against European champions Greece.
In a must-win match for both sides, Japan's physical disadvantage showed early as Greece threw their weight around. However it was Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura who received the first booking when he felled Efstathios Tavlaridis.
The game showed the contrasting styles with Greece employing the long ball against the smaller opponents while Japan brought the ball back with lightning fast counter attacks. It was these quick bursts that saw the majority of chances against what is meant to be one of the better defences in world football. Keiji Tamada couldn't get enough power on his lob while Akira Kaji shot into the side netting through a massive hole in the defence. Japan continued all half to waste chances against the European champions and both sides went into the break without scoring, Greece thankful for the level scores.
Theofanis Gekas came on at half time for greece, hoping he would provide some fire power up front, but firepower wasn't what Greece needed as they had to make sure Japan would stop attacking their goal first.
As the Japanese continued to mount preassure Greece's defence started to be whittled away and eventually Masashi Oguro scored in the 76th minute. A fantastic ball through the defence released the substitute and Oguro clinically finished the run to give Japan a hope of making the semi-finals.
Although Mexico and greece have secured their fates in this first round of the Confederations Cup, their match will still be keenly contested. Mexico are wanting to secure top spot in the group and Greece wanting to not leave the tornament without three straight losses. Meanwhile the contest between Brazil and Japan will determine who will progress in the tornament. Brazil only require a draw to take second spot while Japan will look for three points to advance.
21 June, 2005 |
