Brazil vs. Japan

by Golden Goal | June 22, 2006 at 08:02 am

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Japan still have a small chance of qualifying and will need a good performance against Brazil, who failed to impress in their first two games but are likely to finish first nevertheless. Japan's weakest section appears to be the attack, and Takahara and Yanagisawa may be replaced. Tamada and Maki may profit from these changes.

Golden Goal reporting:

Another Monday starts and another week of World Cup action kicks off. The tournament is really heating up as teams are fighting for their the final spots and a shot at glory. However, there is much to be decided in this final set of
action before the knock out rounds begin.

Over the weekend,

Saturday: Portugal 2 - Iran 0

Czech Republic 0 - Ghana 2

Italy 1 - USA 1

Sunday: Japan 0 - Croatia 0

Brazil 2 - Australia 0

France 1 - South Korea 1

Monday: The first game on Monday witnessed Switzerland finishing strong with a 2- 0 win over Togo. Togo will be sent home, but they have played well and should be a bit disappointed, but also proud of their run at the World Cup this year. While the Swiss will be moving on to the next round with one game left to play...

The Ukrainians

had had a tough time after losing their opening game by four goals, and the papers at home were not at all kind to this team, calling them all kinds of dis-heartening names. So it was not suprising that this team came out blazing, scoring four goals of their own, showing their critics a thing or two about football, and possibly securing a spot in the next round: Saudi Arabia 0 - Ukraine 4

It had appeared that Tunisia would be playing the role of the upset kid yesterday. However it was Spain who returned in the second half to play a complete game. Once they got the scoring ball rolling it was all over for Tunisia as the Spanish team was lead by El nino (Torres), and secured the number one spot in the next Round of 16: Spain 3 - Tunisia 1

Update:

Germany was filled to the brim with celebration last night. The streets were alive with excitement, which provided a great party atmosphere as Germany secured the number one spot for the round of sixteen. It was a bit suprising that Ecuador did not really show up after playing so well in the opening two games. But they will be advancing as well, and they will need to put this game past them and prepare for the elimination round where there is no recovery from a 3-0 loss...

England will also be advancing with Sweden in their group. England just needed to
win or tie to advance as the number one team in this group, and they have gotten their wish as they tied Sweden 2-2 in an exciting action packed game. Both teams will now advance to round of sixteen while their counter parts Trinidad and Paraguay will be heading home after solid performances. Paraguay beat Trinidad 2-1 in their final match...

Wednesday:

Angola was unable to advance as they tied with Iran 1-1. The African team was leading 1-0 with about 15 minutes to go but could not stop Iran from scoring, and sending them home without advancing to the round of sixteen.

Instead Mexico moves on to the elimination round along with Portugal even though they lost to the number one Portugese team 2-1 in the first match of the day. Portugal played a very strong game early, but held on to hold off a Mexican attack which was able to score one goal in the first half, but could

not find a equalizer in the second half of the match...

And in the final matches the Ivory Coast played a great game and came from

behind to beat Serbia 3-2. Both teams will be going home after today, but they surely put on an exciting exit. The two top teams in the group also played, the Netherlands and Argentina drew 0-0 in a suprisingly slower paced game, grinding out the 90 minutes needed to determine which team would take the first place spot. So, Argentina will stay in the number one spot, while the Netherlands finishes second...

Thursday: Earlier today Italy and Ghana advanced by upending the USA and the
Czech Republic. Italy played Italian football by grinding out a 2-0
win over the highly ranked Czech Republic. While Ghana wrote themselves into the history
books with a 2-1 win over the USA, and their subsequent entrance into the
final round of sixteen...

Check back for score updates and if you are at the World Cup or

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Let the fun begin. Brazil/Japan!

Brazil is looking to put on a strong performance tonight. But Japan is looking to try and steal this match as well as advance themselves. The critics have been vocal in the past week, declaring many things about this Brazilian team, but here they sit, and nothing has really changed as they still are in the drivers seat. Australia and Croatia are also playing at this time, and both of those teams are looking to advance as well.

Brazil is on the defense right off the bat, but even though Japan is moving up and down the pitch they are finding very little room to work as the Brazilian defense is proving hard to crack...

Brazil is on the attack but Ronaldo is denied by the Japanese goalie, after he put on some nice ball handling skills...

Brazil again is pushing the tempo back up the pitch, but the kick is centered to high and sails over the goal...

Another corner kick for Brazil but nothing comes of the kick as it is off target. However the Brazilians retain possesion.

13th Minute

Japan has been weathering the storm so to speak, and they are beginning to move the ball back towards the Brazilian side...

A nice strike by the Brazilians, passing the ball well, and all most finishing the run...

After the additional miss the Brazilians are starting to pour on the offense with one nice move after the next, but the ball has moved back into Japan's feet, and they are trying to get a spark going...

Ronaldo with a great shot on goal, but again the Japanese keeper uses the last tips of his fingers to keep the ball out of his net...

Brazil is showing why they are one of the best offensive teams in the world, handling the ball remarkably, and making each strike attempt an exciting opportunity. The Japanese are still holding off the Brazilians as they mount a counter attack of their own, but soon the ball was given back and again Brazil is back on offense...

29th Minute

A great tempo for this game, as each team is pushing very hard to tey and open the match up for a score...

34th Minute

Goal!!! Goal!!!

Japan has done it. They have scored on Brazil. Tamada (20) just fires a strike from the top of the penalty box after a nice pass from his teammate to score the first goal of the match. You could hear a tremendous roar from the crowd when the ball hit the net.

Update: Australia scores on a penalty kick to equalize the match. Moore (3) nails in the close penalty shot. Croatia 1 - Australia 1

40th Minute

Brazil is lurking around Japan's goal, but turns the ball over after a bad pass.

Japan brings the ball down but turns it over all most immediately, and Brazil counters with a some nice passing down the pitch as Ronaldinho takes the final pass and all most single handedly breaks through the Japanese defense...

Japan earns a free kick, but cannot capatilize.

One Minute of Stoppage Time to be played before the half...

Goal!!! Goal!!!

Ronaldo (9) with the header to equalize this match right before the whistle blew. It was a great pass from the head of Cicinho, which set up Ronaldo as he moved right in front of the goal, and finished with a hard header to score the point...

Half Time Score: Brazil 1 - Japan 1

Other Game: Croatia 1 - Australia 1

Can Japan keep their momentum and score once again against Brazil? They must win today to have a chance to advance. Brazil is all ready in to the next round, but needs to secure the top spot.

Brazil is sitting on the outside of Japan's penalty area, passing and moving along.

53rd Minute

Goal!!! Goal!!!

A kick of perfection from Juninho (19) who pulls up at the top of the penalty box strikes a beauty right past the keeper, Kawaguchi, and into the goal for the lead... Brazil cannot ask for better than that from their strikers...

Now the Brazilian song has really come to life in the stadium, so many happy fans for brazil...

59th Minute

Goal!!! Goal!!!

Another amazing pass down the pitch as the Brazilian striker, Gilberto (16) never lost his stride, and then simply split the ball between the defense and the keeper to score his first goal and the third goal of the night...

Japan is most certainly finished here tonight, but they are still pushing the match, trying to get something going before they go home.

Update: Croatia 2 - Australia 1

75th Minute

Brazil is using their advantage to pass the ball around and take some time off the clock...

Update: Australia 2 - Croatia 2

With a tie the Australians would advance.

81st Minute

Goal!!! Goal!!!

Ronaldo (9) with his second goal of the night. This was some amazing technical work by the Brazilians as Juan passed back to Ronaldo, and he spun to face the goal, releasing a great kick into the right side of the net...

Japan
needed a win today in order to advance, but it was not to be as an
early lead of 1-0 over the returning champs turned into a nightmare as
they gave up four consecutive goals...

Final Score: Brazil 4 - Japan 1

Australia has held on and tied Croatia, which means Australia will advance to the final round of sixteen...