Sebastiano Giovinco celebrates scoring Italy?s winning goal against Japan
Brazil and Italy won their Group A second round matches on Wednesday to book their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 that take place on June 26 and 27 June in Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza respectively. But before that, the two teams meet on Saturday in what effectively is a play-off for the top spot in Group A. Italy will have to win on account of the hosts? superior goal difference.
For the second game running, Neymar, who starred for Brazil, scored another fantastic goal and then set up a late second for Jo as Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 to move on to the verge of a semi-final spot.
Mexico battled well, shared most of the exchanges. Particularly in the second half, and even produced a few good chances of their own, but in the end it was a comfortable victory for Luiz Felipe Scolari's men.
Neymar opened the scoring on nine minutes. Dani Alves went down the Brazil right and crossed towards Fred. The ball was half-cleared by the Mexican defence, and Neymar watched the ball on to his left foot before unleashing a volley that left Jose Corona no chance.
The stage seemed set for Brazil to dominate another game. Neymar magnificently controlled a cross-field Hulk pass and shimmied on to his left foot. His drive towards goal just rose a little too quickly and the scrambling Corona was not called into action.
Mexico came back into the game and actually ended the first half with more of the ball, but they were unable to break down the Brazil defence.
Brazil had the ball in the net again at the beginning of the second half, with Thiago Silva poking in after a freekick was whipped into the box, but the officials ruled the effort out for offside.
Brazil did nevertheless get their second three minutes into injury time, with Neymar squaring the ball for Jo to put the result beyond doubt.
Italy Edge Japan in Seven-Goal Thriller
In an incredible match in Recife, Italy came out on top and secured their place in semi-finals with a 4-3 victory over Japan. They showed resilience in coming back from being 0-2 to first lead 3-2 before Japan drew level. Then substitute Sebastian Giovinco secured Italy?s win four minutes from time.
Japan started brightly and created some good chances early on. They got their reward for that positive approach when a slack back-pass from Mattia De Sciglio saw Shinji Okazaki nip the ball away from Buffon, who took Japan?s No9 down. Keisuke Honda sent his side to the FIFA World Cup. He made no mistake with his spot-kick, slamming the ball low into the net past Buffon?s outstretched left hand.
The instrumental Kagawa then doubled Japan?s lead. The ball bounced awkwardly on the edge of the Italy box, and the midfielder swivelled and struck a sweet left-foot strike past the diving Buffon.
Italy then dragged themselves back into the game when coach Prandelli introduced Giovico. Daniele De Rossi rose highest to head home an Andrea Pirlo corner after a short period of Italian pressure.
Italy started the second half as they ended the first. Giaccherini did well to keep the ball in on the byline, to the left, and fired the ball across goal towards Balotelli. It did not reach him as Atsuto Uchida inadvertently slid the ball into his own net.
Japan completed a remarkable turnaround just moments later after Japanese captain Makoto Hasebe handled a Sebastian Giovinco shot. Mario Balotelli stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.
The game then changed direction once again as Japan drew level. An Endo freekick from the right was headed home by Okazaki. Then after a period of concerted Japanese pressure, Okazaki struck the post. The ball rebounded out to Kagawa, whose header hit the bar and went over in an extraordinary passage of play.
Italy then delivered a sucker punch, with De Rossi finding Marchisio inside the Japanese area, whose square pass was tapped home by Giovinco to put the Italians back in front.
Japan had a goal disallowed in the closing stages after Maya Yoshida was adjudged offside, but it was to be Italy?s night in the end.
Group A losers Mexico and Japan will be playing for pride as they meet each other on Saturday.
Spain Against Minnows Tahiti Thursday
On Thursday the focus switches to Group B on Thursday and starting the day is Tahiti?s first-ever game against European opposition when they face the might of world and European champions Spain at the Maracana.
However, there will be some familiar faces for the two teams. In September 2009, Spain U-20 beat Tahiti U-20 8-0 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. Cesar Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba both played for Spain in that match, while eight players in the current Tahiti squad represented the Oceania champions during that tournament.
Nigeria then face Uruguay in Salvador. The South Americans are unbeaten in their 11 competitive matches against African countries. They will be hoping to keep it that way as defeat may send them out of the competition. A win for the Super Eagles, however, will keep their hopes alive of them becoming the first African country to win the FIFA Confederations Cup.
Brazil and Italy won their Group A second round matches on Wednesday to book their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 that take place on June 26 and 27 June in Belo Horizonte and Fortaleza respectively. But before that, the two teams meet on Saturday in what effectively is a play-off for the top spot in Group A. Italy will have to win on account of the hosts? superior goal difference.
For the second game running, Neymar, who starred for Brazil, scored another fantastic goal and then set up a late second for Jo as Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 to move on to the verge of a semi-final spot.
Mexico battled well, shared most of the exchanges. Particularly in the second half, and even produced a few good chances of their own, but in the end it was a comfortable victory for Luiz Felipe Scolari's men.
Neymar opened the scoring on nine minutes. Dani Alves went down the Brazil right and crossed towards Fred. The ball was half-cleared by the Mexican defence, and Neymar watched the ball on to his left foot before unleashing a volley that left Jose Corona no chance.
The stage seemed set for Brazil to dominate another game. Neymar magnificently controlled a cross-field Hulk pass and shimmied on to his left foot. His drive towards goal just rose a little too quickly and the scrambling Corona was not called into action.
Mexico came back into the game and actually ended the first half with more of the ball, but they were unable to break down the Brazil defence.
Brazil had the ball in the net again at the beginning of the second half, with Thiago Silva poking in after a freekick was whipped into the box, but the officials ruled the effort out for offside.
Brazil did nevertheless get their second three minutes into injury time, with Neymar squaring the ball for Jo to put the result beyond doubt.
Italy Edge Japan in Seven-Goal Thriller
In an incredible match in Recife, Italy came out on top and secured their place in semi-finals with a 4-3 victory over Japan. They showed resilience in coming back from being 0-2 to first lead 3-2 before Japan drew level. Then substitute Sebastian Giovinco secured Italy?s win four minutes from time.
Japan started brightly and created some good chances early on. They got their reward for that positive approach when a slack back-pass from Mattia De Sciglio saw Shinji Okazaki nip the ball away from Buffon, who took Japan?s No9 down. Keisuke Honda sent his side to the FIFA World Cup. He made no mistake with his spot-kick, slamming the ball low into the net past Buffon?s outstretched left hand.
The instrumental Kagawa then doubled Japan?s lead. The ball bounced awkwardly on the edge of the Italy box, and the midfielder swivelled and struck a sweet left-foot strike past the diving Buffon.
Italy then dragged themselves back into the game when coach Prandelli introduced Giovico. Daniele De Rossi rose highest to head home an Andrea Pirlo corner after a short period of Italian pressure.
Italy started the second half as they ended the first. Giaccherini did well to keep the ball in on the byline, to the left, and fired the ball across goal towards Balotelli. It did not reach him as Atsuto Uchida inadvertently slid the ball into his own net.
Japan completed a remarkable turnaround just moments later after Japanese captain Makoto Hasebe handled a Sebastian Giovinco shot. Mario Balotelli stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.
The game then changed direction once again as Japan drew level. An Endo freekick from the right was headed home by Okazaki. Then after a period of concerted Japanese pressure, Okazaki struck the post. The ball rebounded out to Kagawa, whose header hit the bar and went over in an extraordinary passage of play.
Italy then delivered a sucker punch, with De Rossi finding Marchisio inside the Japanese area, whose square pass was tapped home by Giovinco to put the Italians back in front.
Japan had a goal disallowed in the closing stages after Maya Yoshida was adjudged offside, but it was to be Italy?s night in the end.
Group A losers Mexico and Japan will be playing for pride as they meet each other on Saturday.
Spain Against Minnows Tahiti Thursday
On Thursday the focus switches to Group B on Thursday and starting the day is Tahiti?s first-ever game against European opposition when they face the might of world and European champions Spain at the Maracana.
However, there will be some familiar faces for the two teams. In September 2009, Spain U-20 beat Tahiti U-20 8-0 at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. Cesar Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba both played for Spain in that match, while eight players in the current Tahiti squad represented the Oceania champions during that tournament.
Nigeria then face Uruguay in Salvador. The South Americans are unbeaten in their 11 competitive matches against African countries. They will be hoping to keep it that way as defeat may send them out of the competition. A win for the Super Eagles, however, will keep their hopes alive of them becoming the first African country to win the FIFA Confederations Cup.
