Brazil show flair in humbling Honduras
18 Nov 2013 6:00 AM IST
Impressive 2014 World Cup host Brazil humbled Honduras 5-0 on Saturday in an international football friendly, showing their Cup-qualified rivals the steep challenge they will face next June.
With typical Samba flair and flashy footwork, the Brazilians used pinpoint passing to humiliate a physical, hard-fouling Central American side before 71,124 spectators at the home stadium of American football’s Miami Dolphins -- Florida’s largest-ever football crowd.
Honduras bumped and fouled in the early going, with playmaker Neymar bearing the brunt of the exchanges, including a spiking from Wilson Palacios that drew a yellow card in the 17th minute. Bernard opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, charging into the heart of the penalty area from the left wing and taking a perfect centering pass from Paulinho at the right wing.
Dante headed home Brazil’s second goal in the 55th minute off a Neymar free kick and Maicon netted his first goal since 2010 in the 66th minute to give Brazil a 3-0 edge.
In the 70th minute, Hulk delivered a deadly set-up pass from the left side of the area to Willian, who tapped the ball home from point-blank range for a 4-0 Brazil lead. But Brazil’s playmakers saved their best for last. Willian, Ramires and Robinho each executed back-heel passes around Honduran defenders near the outer edge of the penalty area that set the stage for Hulk to hammer a left-footed shot into the back of the met from the heart of the area.
Italy await for jubilant Nigeria
LONDON: Nigeria will have precious little time to celebrate their qualification for the World Cup, with a friendly game against European heavyweights Italy scheduled to take place in London on Monday.
‘This is an important game for us as we begin our build-up to next year’s World Cup and so we have to take it very seriously,’ said Sporting Braga left-back Elderson Echiejile. The match is to be held in Craven Cottage.
With typical Samba flair and flashy footwork, the Brazilians used pinpoint passing to humiliate a physical, hard-fouling Central American side before 71,124 spectators at the home stadium of American football’s Miami Dolphins -- Florida’s largest-ever football crowd.
Honduras bumped and fouled in the early going, with playmaker Neymar bearing the brunt of the exchanges, including a spiking from Wilson Palacios that drew a yellow card in the 17th minute. Bernard opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, charging into the heart of the penalty area from the left wing and taking a perfect centering pass from Paulinho at the right wing.
Dante headed home Brazil’s second goal in the 55th minute off a Neymar free kick and Maicon netted his first goal since 2010 in the 66th minute to give Brazil a 3-0 edge.
In the 70th minute, Hulk delivered a deadly set-up pass from the left side of the area to Willian, who tapped the ball home from point-blank range for a 4-0 Brazil lead. But Brazil’s playmakers saved their best for last. Willian, Ramires and Robinho each executed back-heel passes around Honduran defenders near the outer edge of the penalty area that set the stage for Hulk to hammer a left-footed shot into the back of the met from the heart of the area.
Italy await for jubilant Nigeria
LONDON: Nigeria will have precious little time to celebrate their qualification for the World Cup, with a friendly game against European heavyweights Italy scheduled to take place in London on Monday.
‘This is an important game for us as we begin our build-up to next year’s World Cup and so we have to take it very seriously,’ said Sporting Braga left-back Elderson Echiejile. The match is to be held in Craven Cottage.
Next Story
