Striker scores brace to set up Brazil's 2-1 win over Kiwis in warm-up match
Brazil are known for producing world class talent and some in the making were on display at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri yesterday during a practice match ahead of next month's FIFA U-17 World Cup. Deft touches with a touch of Brazilian flair mesmerised the sizeable Mumbaikars. It took a brace from Sao Paulo striker Brenner da Silva as the junior Seleccaos thumped New Zealand with a 2-1 win. Immediately after kick-off, both teams took at least 15 minutes to adjust to the high level of humidity. "Yes, the conditions did get the better of our players, but that is a mental aspect. In some places, due to fatigue catching in, they lost track of the game. But they're a fit bunch and we did a good job," New Zealand coach Danny Hay said. Surprisingly, it were the All Whites who hogged possession in the initial 30 minutes.
Brazil's Brenner da Silva (left) dribbles past a Kiwi player during an U-17 World Cup warm-up match in Andheri yesterday. Pic/Suresh Karkera
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Injury concern for Brazil
The scene for Brazil got all the more tense when defender Wesley picked up a thigh injury while colliding with a Kiwi defender near their right corner. "It was a hard impact and the shock was bad. It doesn't look to be serious, but the next 24 hours will be important as our doctors will be monitoring him," head coach Carlos Amadeu said. Marcos Antonio was introduced for the injured defender, a move that paid rich dividends for the South American champs. The No. 8 took complete control in the middle and fed delicious passes to his forward string. "He's a very good player. They've got world-class lads and that's why they get bought by clubs for ridiculous sums of money," Hay said of Antonio. One such pass was just before the half hour mark. The diminutive playmaker, with good game sense, passed it nicely to Vitinho, who didn't waste any time to launch his shot. The volley was comfortably stopped by 'keeper Jacob Clark. Antonio was in thick of things again and with tremendous pace and skill.
Doing a Ronaldinho
Piercing the Kiwi defence, Antonio almost did a Ronaldinho, after hoodwinking three defenders. But to his dismay, the shot was inches above the post.
Although New Zealand were trying to keep up to the Brazilian pace, which turned a notch higher in the second half, they did have their fair share of breakthroughs, but they lacked clinical finishing. Kiwi Charles Spragg, left unmarked, shot the ball wide of the left post from just outside the box. All three goals were scored in the second half. A beautiful one-two pass between second half substitutes Alan de Souza and Victor Bobsin resulted in Brenner, stationed near the left mouth area, unleashing a lethal left-footed shot for goal.
After the deadlock was broken, Brazil began toying with the Kiwi defence. Alan and Vitniho combined well to create massive problems for the Kiwis. Brenner found the target again. New Zealand however, found some solace when skipper Max Mata converted penalty.
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