FIFA Confederations Cup 2009: Brazil vs Italy, Egypt vs USA

by Yuliya Talmazan | June 21, 2009 at 01:58 pm

7775 views | 17 Recommendations | 8 comments

Today, June 21, 2009, the semifinalists of the 2009 Confederations Cup were determined in South Africa. The day featured two key matches:

1. Brazil versus the 2006 FIFA World Cup champions Italy, and
2. Egypt versus the United States

Brazil vs Italy

The first match between Brazil and Italy became a dramatic meet with the 2006 FIFA World Champions failing to restrain Brazil. Halfway through the first half, Brazil attacked vigorously, trying to unnerve Italian defense. Italy’s goaltender – legendary Gianluigi Buffon was bombarded heavily by the Brazilian offense by the 30th minute mark, but Italian keeper made some terrific saves. For a while it seemed nothing can crumble Buffon’s poise, but in a matter of minutes Buffon was fooled by the Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano who put in an easy goal into Buffon's gates in the 37th minute. Two more goals followed in a span of eight minutes. The second followed in the 43rd minute from the same Luis Fabiano with assist from Kaka. The third goal in the game came from Italy’s own defender Andrea Dossena, whose legs came in the way of the ball sent in by Robinho, deflecting it straight into the gates of Buffon. In the second half, Italy was visibly more determined to try and change the course of the game, but Brazilian defense would not let the 2006 world champions capitalize. Notably, famous Brazilian striker Kaka had two very close attempts on goal, but failed to find the net two times. The 27-year-old football star was recently transferred from AC Milan to Real Madrid for a fee that was record high. In the end, Italy is out of contention and is heading home to rethink its preparation efforts in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Today, the Italian team seemed incohesive, lacking team dynamics and physical fitness. The Brazilian team was not at its strongest either, with many stars from the 2006 World Cup line-up missing from the match, but Brazilians managed to pull through with a confident 0-3 victory over Italy.

It was the first time Italy has conceded three goals before half-time since 1957.

Egypt vs the United States

In today's second match, Egypt faced the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup winners team USA. Egypt has been showing a decent game at the 2009 Confederations Cup so far, beating Italy 1-0 and playing 4-3 with Brazil. But today, the team came undone, losing 0-3 to the United States. The US team needed nothing short of a miracle to advance to the semifinals and they managed to do just that. The Americans played mediocre games, losing 1-3 to Italy and 0-3 to Brazil, but they came in strong against Egypt today, winning 0-3 in the end. Three teams in Group B (Brazil, Italy, Egypt, USA) could rival for second place with Italy, Egypt and USA all having won one game and lost two games. Hence, it was the goal difference that decided which team would advance to semifinals. Team USA conceded the least number of goals (6), having scored 4. Team Egypt scored 4 goals total as well, but conceded one too many (7). Had the Italian team scored at least one goal against Brazil today, they would have advanced by goal difference.

As the result, the 2008 UEFA Euro champions Spain will now face team USA in the semifinal on Wednesday, June 24. Today's big winner Brazil will face South Africa on June 25 in the second semifinal. The Cup’s finals will take place on June 28 in Johannesburg.

My predication is that team Spain will reach the finals and take the Cup. The Spaniards seem to be overly confident and quite unstoppable this year. The team is leading in its 2010 World Cup qualifier group 5, having won all six games played so far. Of course, team Brazil remains a huge threat. Having both Spain and Brazil advance to the finals would make for a great football treat for fans around the world.

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albertacowpoke

at 14:16 on June 21st, 2009

This report seems to indicate that Brazil is back to its former greatness . Italy is not an easy assignment and to score 3 goals in the first half against someone like Buffon shows that there is some scoring talent up front.

By the law of averages, I agree that Brazil and Spain will probably end up in the final on June 28th. It should be a nailbiter. I wouldn't place any money on the outcome of that game.

Great post. Thank you for this. Are any of these games televised in North America? and by Whom?

Yuliya Talmazan

at 14:23 on June 21st, 2009

Thanks, albertacowpoke. Yes, these games are indeed televised here in North America. I was watching Brazil-Italy on CBC Sports this morning. I think TSN and Rogers Sports Network might be broadcasting these matches too. I was very delighted to see these games being broadcast in Canada. There is an ever-increasing number of soccer fans here.

Meren (not verified)

at 16:14 on June 21st, 2009

I find it laughable that the US looked so bad the first two games

and that Italy must have become so overconfident in beating the U.S.

then Egypt defeats them 1-0

and the U.S. Dispatches Egypt 3-0

I bet fans of Italy from around the World are beside themselves

Hopefully the U.S. stays with this goalie

but I would not doubt expect Brazil to face Spain

Though who knows with this Jekyll and Hyde US Team

Maybe the trouncing of Egypt will elevate them to play a great game against Spain

I want to know though what is wrong with Taylor Twellman the U.S. National team

could use him.

KiPaul (not verified)

at 20:24 on June 21st, 2009

i have no doubt that Brazil will end up in the final and to lift up the trophy

... my congratulation to all team members during their semi final match with South Africa

JeffHuang

at 21:35 on June 21st, 2009

Great post yuliya!

Sims(South Africa) (not verified)

at 22:04 on June 21st, 2009

You people must not count the South Africans out hey!! maybe i am being optimistic, but you saw what Egypt did to Italy? these teams from Africa give their best when playing with the best in the world. So, the Brazilians must watch out cause they have something coming for them!!!!

S-Mac (not verified)

at 20:14 on June 22nd, 2009

I find that all this hype about the Spainards may be a little more than they deserve. Not taking anything away from their team because they are very talented but Group A, in my opinion, was not as challenging as Group B.

Overall though I believe that the Brazilians and the Spainards will be facing eachother in the end. However, in this game...anything is possible!

Mohamed (EGYPT) (not verified)

at 15:55 on June 23rd, 2009

I'm form Egypt . I only wanna tell you that you should have thought why did we lose to USA .

I'm sure that you all have heard to what happened to the Egyptian team out there . They got ropped then the South African police said that the Egyptian players brought hookers with them into the rooms . WWWWWHAT the hell ???? . I would never believe that .They have extreme security level there for players . So HOWWWW ?? It's abvious for me that was a cover up story if you didn't notice . And now after Brazilians are also ropped what would they say now !!!!! . THAT MADE EGYPTIAN PLAYERS HAVE POOR SPIRITS AND DIDN'T PLAY WELL . I MEAN THEY BEAT ITALY MAN . AND LOSe TO USA ! NO WAY.