Brazil faces the United States on Thursday with a chance to virtually secure a semifinal berth at the Confederations Cup, while the Americans are hoping for an upset just to get back into contention.
Brazil edged Egypt with a last-minute penalty kick in their opener on Monday, and another victory will all but secure the defending champions a spot in the next stage. The Americans played well against World Cup holder Italy but lost 3-1 despite scoring first, and another defeat will eliminate the Americans.
Brazil is hoping to improve on the performance against Egypt, when the team played just well enough to edge the African champions 4-3 on a penalty converted by Kaka in the 90th minute.
The objective for the Brazilians against the United States will be to avoid the defensive mistakes that allowed Egypt to score two goals one minute apart early in the second half in Bloemfontein on Monday.
”We had a lapse in attention in the match against Egypt and that can’t happen again,” Brazil defender Juan said. ”It should be a
lesson for us. We need to be on alert for the entire 90 minutes against the United States to avoid more surprises.”
Brazil hadn’t allowed three goals in a match since 2005 in a World Cup qualifier against Argentina, and the defensive problems raised some concerns.
”We need to have more attention back there, there’s no doubt about that,” Brazil captain Lucio said.
The Americans were on their way to an upset against Italy in Pretoria on Monday. Despite playing a man down from the 33rd minute because of a sending-off, Landon Donovan’s penalty kick near the end of the first half gave the United States a 1-0 lead against the defending world champions, but Italy was able to come back with three second half goals.
”Our goal has to be to get something [against Brazil], which is no easy task,” said Donovan, who scored his American-record 40th
international goal against the Italians. ”We have to give everything now and hope we get something out of the game.”
US coach Bob Bradley said that with the loss to Italy, the match against Brazil has become ”key” for his team.
”Our group knows that a point in this game may not be enough,” Bradley said.
Even a loss may leave the Americans with chances to advance, but that would depend on Egypt beating Italy later on Thursday in Johannesburg. If the US draws against Brazil, there fate will still be decided by the other result.
Despite not playing to their full potential in their tournament opener, Brazil remains heavily favoured against the Americans. In 14 matches between the nations, the Brazilians have won 13 and outscored the United States 25-8. The sole victory for the US can in 1998 in Los Angeles.
”We understand the way they play,” Bradley said. ”We just have to deal with their talent.”
Brazil coach Dunga may make some changes to his lineup as players continue to complain of being tired because of recent World
Cup qualifiers, long flights and the five-hour time difference between South Africa and Brazil.
AS Roma defender Juan is one of the players who may need a break and could be rested by Dunga on Thursday. Dunga said other regular starters could be left out too.
Two Brazilian doctors were made available to talk to the media on Tuesday to explain why the players were so tired, reiterating
that they didn’t have enough time to get used to time difference and that they were exhausted from the qualifiers Brazil played just before heading to South Africa.
”The best thing for the players right now is pyjama training: rest, train with balance and eat well,” team doctor Jose Luis Runco
said.
Brazil and Italy lead Group B with three points each, while the United States and Egypt have zero. The top two teams from each of
the two groups in the eight-team competition will reach the semifinals.
Brazil and Italy will face each other in the last group match on June 21 in Pretoria, while the United States meets Egypt in Rustenburg. — Sapa, AP