Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Robson Sharuko
26 June 2009
Johannesburg — Super-substitute Dani Alves powered home a stunning free kick, with just two minutes remaining, to break millions of South African hearts and steer Brazil to a nervy win over a battling and improved Bafana Bafana in this lively Confederations Cup semi-final at Ellis Park here last night.
The Barcelona wingback, thrown into the deep end in the closing stages of the game, hammered home from a dead ball, taken from just outside the penalty area, with a superb shot that arrowed into the far post past diving goalkeeper Ithumeleng Khune.
It was a super goal, struck with both venom and accuracy, and few will fault Khune for not saving it, given that the goalkeeper's vision appeared blocked by midfielder Steven Pienaar, who ran from the line to try and block the effort, and it broke the hearts of a Bafana Bafana team that gave a lot into the game.
The home side, inspired by a massive crowd that backed every touch, was brilliant yesterday and gave a hearty performance in which they matched Brazil for long periods in the game before being undone by Alves' late cracker that was worth winning any big game.
Bafana Bafana came into this game as rank outsiders, but they gave so much for their country, and their continent, and were a vastly improved side from the team that many had seen in the group games in which they managed only one win against a poor New Zealand side.
But the home side, probably inspired by the heroics of the United States who upset European champions Spain in the first semi-final in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night, changed into top gear and gave a good account of themselves with a performance that deserved a standing ovation despite the defeat.
Bafana Bafana were in control of the midfield, with Pienaar and Sphiwe Tshabalala lively all night, while their defensive midfield shield -- marshalled by the gritty Benson Mhlongo -- gave very little to a Brazilian side that struggled to get into its rhythm with both Kaka and Robinho failing to impose themselves.
The home team came brimming with confidence and were not overawed by the occasion in a match that was watched by South African President Jacob Zuma, who wore a Bafana Bafana jacket, and Fifa president Sepp Blatter before a sellout crowd of about 60 000 at Ellis Park.
Those who came thinking that Bafana Bafana would turn on a negative and defensive show, given the quality of the opposition, were shocked by the vibrancy of the home team from the word go with Pienaar and Tshabalala impressive in the middle of the field of play.
But their usual playmaker, Teko Modise, was having a tough game and the only surprise was that he lasted almost 90 minutes before being pulled out.
The game was largely played in midfield and this meant there weren't many clear-cut chances for either side with Bafana Bafana growing in confidence, with each passing minute, as the crowd began to believe that their favourite team could pull off a great surprise.
Captain Aaron Mokoena should have given his side the lead when he charged in from the blind side, but somehow connected his header over the bar, from close range, with the goal at his mercy.
Pienaar then came close with a powerful drive as Bafana pressed for a goal.
The home team could have taken the lead, deep in the second half, when Modise's effort took a wicked deflection off a Brazilian defender and was spinning home before goalkeeper Julio Cesar, having decided to go one way, somehow turned and just managed to touch the ball away.
With the towering Matthew Booth clearing their defensive lines with confidence and skipper Mokoena looking assured in defence, there was a feeling that this could be Bafana Bafana's night as the minutes ticked away.
But then, in a decisive moment of the game, Mokoena brought down Brazilian striker Ramires just outside his box and the referee gave the Brazilians a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Alves has built a name for himself in Spain as a free-kick specialist and, when even Kaka gave him the benefit of doubt to take the dead ball situation, there was feeling of a sucker-punch in the crowd that suddenly lost its voice.
The Barcelona defender saw the gap in the home team's wall, at its tip on the left, and hammered his shot right into the corner and, in just an instant, the dreams of an entire nation had been destroyed.
It could have been 2-0 for the Brazilians when, again, Alves went on a great run and then laid the ball to Luis Fabiano who found himself face-to-face with Khune, but the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper did well to block the effort.
Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana saluted his men for their brave fight and, possibly, their best game since he took over.
"They played well. Good discipline, well organised and we had an opportunity to make a goal. It was a good performance, especially good preparation for the 2010 World Cup finals and all the players played well.
"Congratulations Brazil. Congratulations Bafana."
Teams
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Luisao, Andre Santos (Dani Alves 82), Silva, Felipe Melo, Ramires, Kaka, Robinho, Luis Fabiano (Kleberson 90).
South Africa: Khune, Gaxa, Booth, Mokoena, Masilela, Pienaar (Van Heerden 90), Dikgacoi, Mhlongo, Modise (Mashego 90), Tshabalala (Mphela 90), Parker.
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