GULF-GOANS e-NEWSLETTER (since 1994) CLASS ACT !
JOHANNESBURG: Brazil defended their Confederations Cup title last night with a crushing come-from-behind 3-2 victory to inflict a cruel loss on tenacious underdogs the United States. The five-time world champions looked out for the count after Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan put the Americans two up at half-time but they bounced back with a Luis Fabiano brace drawing them level with 16 minutes left. It set the scene for an exciting finale and captain Lucio made it a memorable night with a powerful header from an Elano corner with six minutes remaining. The victory sparked wild celebrations on the bench with Brazil now having won a gruelling seven games over the past 20 days - five at the Confederations Cup and two in World Cup qualifying. It was their third Confederations Cup crown following triumphs in 1997 and 2005. Brazil had won 14 of their 15 previous encounters with the US and beaten Bob Bradley's men 3-0 in the group stages. But since that match the US fortunes changed dramatically. After trouncing Egypt 3-0 to sneak into the knockout rounds on goals scored after finishing equal of points and goal difference with Italy, they shocked European champions Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals. But their luck ran out against Brazil. On a cold winter's night, Bradley's giantkillers began in an attacking frame of mind with Fulham's Dempsey making the first attempt on goal with a long distance strike that fizzed wide after just two minutes. Brazil started feeding the ball to Maicon on the right and he lofted crosses into the box that put the US under pressure before Real Madrid's new signing Kaka glanced a header wide. Dunga said before the match he wanted an early goal but it was the US who stunned Brazil after 10 minutes. West Ham's Jonathan Spector fed Dempsey with a defence-splitting through ball and the number eight cleverly put his shot under the diving Julio Cesar. Spain claim third place http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=254312 FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009 WINNER - BRAZIL Famous football team Brazil create a record in Confederations Cup history, because they became three time winners of Confederations cup. In 2009 Confederations cup final, Brazil defeated US with the score 3-2 at Johannesburg on 28th April 2009. Brazil was gained this trophy after its victory in 1997 and 2005 and this victory helps Brazil to surpass the record of two Confederations Cup champion titles shared by France and Brazil. In the final of this tournament, US team was ahead at half time with the goals by Clint Dempsey and skipper Landon Donovan. In the second half, Brazil seemed to strong and they give pressure on the U.S. side. With just one minute after the break, Brazil player Luis Fabiano gained the first goal for his team. The second goal also came in 74th minute from the leg of Luis Fabiano. In 84 minutes, centre-back Lucio's header come to a goal and Brazilian's grab the trophy. US goalkeeper Tim Howard produced several good saves in this tournament and US team gained confidence through this tournament. They reached in the final by defeating the world number one ranked team Spain with the score 2-0 in the semi final. This defeat was great shock to the football world. Brazil also has done a great job in this tournament and it was the only team to reach the final with the lowest rank. They reached in the final by defeating South Africa with the score 1-0 in the semi final. Their player Kaka did not gained any goal in this match, but he is the play maker on this match and he was awarded "Man of the match". Also their player Luis Fabiano gained "Golden shoes award or top scorer award". HISTORY Brazil football team is the national team of Brazil and it is managed by Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). It is the most successful national football team and it has long history in football World Cup. It is the five time World champion and it is the only team to have played in every World Cup. Now it is ranked fifth by FIFA. Brazil's first match was in 1914 against English football club "Exeter City". Brazil won this match with the score 2-0. Brazil hosted the "1950 FIFA World Cup" and it is the only time Brazil has hosted the World Cup. In the final of this World cup, Brazil and Uruguay were reached. But Brazil lost the match with the score 2-1. In "1958 World Cup", Brazil got Pele as the star player and they won that World cup by defeating the host country Sweden with the score 5-2. By winning this trophy, they became the first nation to win a World Cup title outside of its own continent. They also gained "1962 FIFA World Cup" with the help of their star player Garrincha. Brazil won its third World Cup in Mexico in the "1970 FIFA World Cup" under the captaincy of Pele. After that Brazil football team has been considered to be the best football team in the world. After the retirement of Pele and other star players, their performance was not good in the Wold cups. In "1974 FIFA World Cup", they finished in fourth place and in "1978 FIFA World Cup", they placed in third position. In "1982 FIFA World Cup", Brazil was defeated by Italy with the score 3-2 and this game was considered to be the classic game of the football history. Also 1982 Brazil squad with players like Socrates, Zico and Falcao is remembered as one of the greatest teams to be eliminated from the World Cup. They did not performed well in the World Cups in 1986 and 1990. But they returned back as the strongest team in "1994 World Cup" with the star players like Romario, Bebeto, Dunga, Taffarel, and Jorginho and won the World Cup for the record fourth time. Brazil finished runner-up in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, because they lost to the host country France with the score 3-0. They won their fifth championship at the "2002 FIFA World Cup" with the help of Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho. In "2006 FIFA World Cup", they were eliminated by France in the quarter final with the score 1-0 and the team was criticized by many Brazilians such as Pele for the team's early elimination. They were also the winners of the other tournaments like "Confederations Cup", "Copa America" etc. Now this team won the " 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup" in South Africa. They won the victory over Egypt, USA and Italy in group match. After beating South Africa in the semi-final, they went on to a rematch against USA in the final. In the final, they defeated USA with the score 3-2 and gained their third Confederations Cup title. Former Brazil football player Dunga is the current coach and Lucio is the current captain of this team. The other players of this team are in the following, Squad : Julio Cesar, Victor, Gomes, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Kleber, Dani Alves, Luisao, Miranda, Andre Santos, Felipe Melo, Elano, Gilberto Silva, Kaka, Josue, Ramires, Julio Baptista, Kleberson, Luis Fabiano Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Nilmar http://askmeany.com/2009/06/29/fifa-confederations-cup-2009-winner-brazil/
