Americas triumph as Olympus spurns Greek heroes
16 June 2005
by FIFAworldcup.com
THE DAY REPLAYED - It was a day of celebration in the Americas. And especially
pleasing to be able to claim roots in Sao Paulo, from where both Budweiser
Man of the Match winners on the second day of the FIFA Confederations Cup
were born. Robinho, a potential star of the biggest stage in the world in
12 months time, and Zinha, a less-heralded fellow citizen from that Brazilian
city and now an artist wearing Mexican colours, followed on in the same
dynamic style set by the match-winning performers of Argentina and Germany
the day before.
But for Greece it was the time to reflect that the Gods who granted them the
privilege of a sublime triumph in Europe 12 months previously, have now
probably decided they are no longer worthy of their blessings. Otto Rehhagel,
the veteran German coach enjoying an unexpected taste of celebrity status
near the closing chapters of his career, had greeted that surprise victory
in Portugal by claiming: “Bring on Brazil”. A 3-0 defeat in Leipzig will
have him reflecting on the wisdom of that boast. The Greeks had established
a reputation for defensive obstinacy but for their inspirational manager,
back in the land of his fathers, it was a painful sight as his grand design
all fell apart.
The superpowers who were expected to dominate in Germany have flexed their
muscles in an impressive fashion so far and the tournament has found its
stride straight away. Argentina, Germany and now Brazil are all off to
winning starts and Mexico as well. The less-celebrated teams need not
necessarily be thinking that this is a forlorn mission just yet and Japan
can count themselves unfortunate to lose out to two eye-catching goals in
Hanover. Only Greece have been badly beaten so far.
But the overriding impression from the first Group B action was of the new
generation whose destiny has been to inherit those famous yellow jerseys
which is a great honour but also the heaviest of burdens to carry...so many
shining stars have been there before you. And in Adriano, Robinho, Kaka, -
oh, and we shouldn’t forget the FIFA World Player of the Year 2004,
Ronaldinho, as well - they have a new generation equipped to wear the mantle
with some ease and punch. The warning for the other seven teams out here and
the 31 who will try to wrestle the FIFA World Cup? away from them in twelve
months time was clear for all to see.
No Ronaldo, Cafu or Roberto Carlos – all resting after a long season – but
no matter. Carlos Alberto Parreira has other aces up his sleeve and fantastic
talent to compensate for the absence of those established Brazilian icons.
In midfield there is grace, strength, guile and mesmeric footwork in the
shape of Kaka and Ronaldinho. In attack who is to say that Ronaldo will still
be first choice when the world champions return to Germany to defend their
crown in 2006?
It seems clear even at this early stage that an awful lot of newspaper pages
will be sacrificed in the names of Adriano and Robinho in 12 months time.
Adriano is already well known to European audiences through the awesome power
he can summon at the head of the Inter-Milan attack. He is no stranger to the
art of clubbing dramatic goals and did not earn the title of most valued
player at the Copa America 2004 for nothing. In the Zentralstadion came
further confirmation that here is a man of the highest class.
Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Greece’s number five, did not do a great deal wrong. In
fact he made a splendid recovery tackle after initially finding that Adriano
had got in behind him. The problem was that even after the challenge Adriano
was still in possession. And the ball was nestling on that ferocious left foot.
One swing of the boot was enough to make the ball disappear from sight in a
blur as it ripped a stunning path inside the right-hand post. Certainly
Antonios Nikopolidis could not have seen it as he groped at thin air and the
net bulged behind him. Stunning.
Before then Robinho had strutted his stuff and drawn gasps of appreciation
from the crowd. There is nowhere near as much of him as there is of Adriano,
a lightweight at 60 kg. But the 21-year-old consistently worked the
goalkeeper hard and had his markers chasing shadows. Not for nothing is
he being compared to the legendary Garrincha and one exceptional piece of
work around the penalty deserved a goal which finally arrived for him early
in the second half after Gilberto had discovered a generous amount of room
to reward his forward advance. Later the substitute Juninho added the coup
de grace with an imperious free-kick.
In Hanover it was a Mexican victory with a strong Brazilian flavour. Zinha
had been persuaded by the national coach Ricardo Lavolpe to take out Mexican
citizenship and it was his goal that took them onto a level footing with
Japan in Hanover after the Asian champions - the first team to qualify for
Germany 2006 - had taken the lead through Atsushi Yanagisawa’s early strike.
Drawing inspiration that would certainly not have been out of place 260 km
south in the Leipzig stadium, Zinha conjured a stunning equaliser from
outside the penalty area, swerving the ball away from Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.
Mexican adventure was further rewarded later on when the aerial ability of
Jose Fonseca bought them a precious three points. It was a magnificently-
angled header that earned the spoils proving that you don't necessarily have
to be from Brazil to score memorable goals. But it certainly helps.
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