It took them a while, but Brazil finally reminded the world what they are capable of. They may have been down by a goal early on, but the manner of their play suggested that they were bound to score at least a couple before the end of the match. As it turns out, it was as complete a performance as any from the Selecao in recent times. Ronaldo put in a vastly improved shift, and was rewarded with 2 goals, even though he still looked a little off the pace. Given his injury problems, perhaps it is unrealistic to expect him to recapture the form he had in 1998, or even 2002, but the football fan in me still yearns for the days when he could beat an entire defence with sheer pace and skill, and deposit the ball in the bottom corner. He may no longer be the player he was, but you cannot argue with his return today. He did the job for the team, and most crucially, got the equaliser before half-time, handing Brazil an invaluable boost before the break. The second half was an exhibition in short passing and movement. Cicinho was brilliant in the right wingback role, and Juninho acquitted himself rather nicely in the centre of the park. But the two standout players for me were Ronaldinho and Robinho.
Robinho's inclusion in the team was just the shot in the arm that Brazil needed. Unlike Adriano, he constantly dropped deep to gather the ball and run at the defence, drawing defenders away from Kaka and Ronaldinho. When Ronaldo and Adriano play together, there is a gap between midfield and attack , as Brazil usually employ two holding midfielders and no central playmaker. This time, Robinho, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Juninho all got forward and tortured the Japanese with their inventive passing and movement, providing fans and neutrals alike with a wonderful display of football. More importantly, Ronaldo had a supply line that he could depend on, and a strike partner who could do most of the running for him.
Japan weren't without their own goal threat, however, and the Brazilian defence had trouble tracking the runs of Maki and Tamada on the counter-attack. The Ghanaians will pose a much greater threat down the wings so it might be advisable for Brazil to continue with Cicinho and Gilberto in the wingback positions, as Cafu and Roberto Carlos probably don't have the legs to keep up with them.
Brazil have finally announced their arrival in Germany, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
Robinho's inclusion in the team was just the shot in the arm that Brazil needed. Unlike Adriano, he constantly dropped deep to gather the ball and run at the defence, drawing defenders away from Kaka and Ronaldinho. When Ronaldo and Adriano play together, there is a gap between midfield and attack , as Brazil usually employ two holding midfielders and no central playmaker. This time, Robinho, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Juninho all got forward and tortured the Japanese with their inventive passing and movement, providing fans and neutrals alike with a wonderful display of football. More importantly, Ronaldo had a supply line that he could depend on, and a strike partner who could do most of the running for him.
Japan weren't without their own goal threat, however, and the Brazilian defence had trouble tracking the runs of Maki and Tamada on the counter-attack. The Ghanaians will pose a much greater threat down the wings so it might be advisable for Brazil to continue with Cicinho and Gilberto in the wingback positions, as Cafu and Roberto Carlos probably don't have the legs to keep up with them.
Brazil have finally announced their arrival in Germany, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
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