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Canada
Holds Their Own Against the Best
By Erik Schultz
Posted June 2, 2008
Fan
Photo © Erik Schultz
Seattle played home to some of the greatest soccer players
in the world last Saturday night. The world powerhouse,
Brazil, came breezing through Seattle for a friendly against
the Canadian national team. The only problem was nobody told
Canada that Brazil was in town for a quick win. With each
goal from
Brazil,
Canada came back with the equalizer. It wasn’t until the 63rd
minute when forward Robinho scored that Brazil was ahead for
good. Rocking the cradle and sucking his thumb, Robinho
celebrated in style just like he has many times for his Real
Madrid team. Brazil’s head coach Dunga, who played for
Brazil in 1994 when they won the World Cup, praised Robinho
for his “enthusiasm” and “motivation” for the game.
The 3-2 Brazil win kept the more than 47,000 fans excited
for a full 90 minutes. This was a warm up match for both
teams who head into World Cup qualifiers in June. Brazil’s
first goal came from an assist by Robinho to Diego, who
drilled it to the corner of the net past Canada’s goalkeeper
Pat Onstad. Julio Baptista came close to adding to the lead
moments later but just missed a header.
Issey Nakajima-Farran missed a wide open shot
Photo
© Erik Schultz
Canada
scored the equalizer in the 20th minute off a
beautiful header by forward Rob Friend. Another scoring
opportunity came for
Canada
in the 24th minute when midfielder Issey
Nakajima-Farran was wide open on a breakaway. His shot went
wide of goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
Rob Friend scores off a header to tie things up
Photo © Erik Schultz
Luis Fabiano got the go ahead goal just before halftime with
a hard hitting shot that brushed off the hands of Onstand.
Canadian’s Julian de Guzman hit the tying goal just after the
second half started. Then minutes later Robinho slammed home
the winning goal in the 63rd minute.
Each team had scoring opportunities but defense was just as
impressive as the offense. Maybe it was because of
Ronaldinho and Kaka’s absence or maybe Brazil just under
estimated what Canada had to offer but they held on to this
game until the end.
Robinho scores to winning
goal in the 63rd minute
Photo
© Erik Schultz
This friendly also served as a huge advertising opportunity
for the new MLS expansion team, Seattle Sounders FC. The new
Seattle team will take over where the USL Seattle Sounders
leave off at the end of this season. Seattle Sounders FC
opens the 2009 season at Qwest Field.
©
2007 All content property of European Weekly unless where
otherwise accredited
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