Todays’ game was similar like the match at Torino in 1990
where a Costarican goalkeeper named Conjeo became the great wall of China to
deny Careca, Valdo, Alemao, Dunga and Branco to score goals. The Costa Ricans,
as usual, were defensive like today and Conjeo was like Kaylor Navas. Brazil
consistently attacked, but were denied by Conjeo’s gallant goalkeeping or the
woodwork. Muller gave Brazil the lead in 34th minute, but in the
second half, Brazil were in an all out attack mood to score more, but Conjeo
and Costa Rica arrested further disaster. More surprisingly, Jamie How was the
commentator of that match as well.
Today, Brazil’s start was not like Careca’s Brazil in the
first half, but they looked shaky. There were buildups from the left flank, but
in the right, Willian was almost like spectator – was not able to play the role
of a winger, which, in fact, the wing backs used to do for them in the past.
With Fagner given the responsibility to
stay back, a lot depended on Willian to provide the cutting edge. But sadly,
Willian failed to give Brazil the firepower.
Brazil were pale in the first half. They looked down and
short of confidence. In the second half, Tite brought on Diego Costa in
exchange of Willian and the Brazilian number 7 provided the intent, which was lacking in the first.
It seemed, blood circulation was restored in the cardiovascular
system of each and every Brazilian on the pitch without minimal reperfusion
injuries. Perhaps, there was no release of oxidative free radicals and the
sympathetic drive was more, which led Brazil to go for an all out attack. Pumping
thighs, sweaty face, focused eyes – Brazil meant business in the second.
Neymar dominated in that left flank in tandem with Marcelo
while Douglas Costa was unstoppable - created
4 chances, an assist and completed five dribbles out of 5 attempts with a
success rate of 100%. The crosses came down effectively from the right to the
strikers, left and central attacking midfielders, but Navas and luck outweighed
all the efforts.
Frustrations crept in. The coach and his men were left
stunned, thinking, how could lady luck deny all their efforts in such a manner.
But the best thing about Brazil was, they never gave up and continued to press
hard even in the stoppage time.
In the 91st minute, Gabriel Jesus, surrounded by vultures, got the ball down as composed
as even at which Coutinho pounced in to beat Navas. Still, with a lead of 1-0,
Brazil kept on pressing and in t 98th minute, a Costa cross was
smashed behind the nets like Ronaldo Fenomeno by Neymar. How badly he needed
this goal How badly Brazil needed him to score? After the match, he burst into
tears – emotions poured heavily. But a 2-0 win will boost the much needed confidence of Brazil.
A win for Brazil and Tite should start with Costa from now
on and I just think, Fred can be given a chance instead of Paulinho if needed.
Paulinho has not been impressive so far.
And, I think, Neymar should understand, getting players
around him via dribbling won’t help him much, but he should play the role of
Ronaldo Fenomeno, who got in the position to score when god crosses used to
come from Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo. In this World Cup, he
doesn’t need to be like Garrincha or Pele, but a scorer who possesses the ideal
positional sense of a striker. Spending time in dribbling would only invite
more fouls. Leave it to the midfield. No adventures, but a perfect positional sense
is the order of the day.
Lastly, Brazil again had problems with refereeing decisions,
and when that happened the team lost focus. It is becoming clearer, Brazil won’t
have the support of either AR or on field referee in this World Cup. How could
that penalty be denied, I could not understand. There was a definite contact.
Still, VAR remained unfriendly towards them.
Faisal Caesar
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