A win for Brazil in La Paz would see them seal top spot in the Conmebol standings with one game remaining, but it didn't seem like something Dunga and his men were interested in chasing.
A win for Brazil in La Paz would see them seal top spot in the Conmebol standings with one game remaining, but it didn't seem like something Dunga and his men were interested in chasing.
|
|
Bolivian footballer Edgar Olivares (right) vies for possession with Brazil's Daniel Alves during their 2010 World Cup qualifier at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz last night. pic/Afp |
Knowing fully well of the ill-effects of playing at altitude, the Canarinho strategically started the game at jogging pace as they invited the hosts to attack their goal. But the plan backfired as Edgar Olivares and Marcelo Martins struck in the first half to end Brazil's 19-game unbeaten streak but Nilmar pulled one back 20 minutes from time to ensure a 1-2 nervy ending.
Bolivia had the first chance in the fifth minute when Juan Carlos Arce was put clean through on goal but Julio Cesar dashed off his line to smother the shot away. From the ensuing throw in, Edgar Olivares was presented with a free header at the back post but somehow thumped his effort wide from six yards out.
But five minutes later, Olivares found himself unmarked once again as he rose high to meet Arce's corner and easily nodded his header past a hapless Julio Cesar.
But Brazil started to click into gear on the 20-minute mark. Adriano and Nilmar traded one-two's before the Villarreal striker clipped in a cross from the left, but the 'Emperor's' full-stretch diving header just missed the ball by inches.
Erwin Sanchez's men continued to use the atmospheric pressure to their advantage when Ronald Raides decided to try his luck from 35 yards out but his swerving piledriver sailed straight into Julio Cesar's arms.
But on the half-hour mark, another effort from distance rippled the back of the net this time as Bolivia raced to a 2-0 lead.
Brazilian-born Martins effortlessly lifted a curling free-kick over the wall from 25 yards out straight into the top corner, leaving Julio Cesar rooted to the ground. The five-time world champions gradually picked up the pace as the half wore on but found no way through against a well-marshalled La Verde backline, until the 70th minute.
