Preview: Brazil vs. Australia

June 18th, 2006 | by: Daryl |

GAME DETAILS
Brazil vs. Australia, Munich, 18:00 CET
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THE BIG PICTURE
Wins in their opening games have put these two teams in the Group F driving seat. Brazil expected to be there, but they’ll be surprised to see Australia sitting beside them. This may look a mismatch on paper, particularly the Australian defence versus Brazil’s brand name heavy attack, but Australia won’t be shy to get physical and rough up the opposition. Group F table

Scout Report – Brazil
Ronaldo’s statuesque performance (and we mean that in a bad way) against Croatia will have Brazil fans worried, and reports of mysterious dizzy spells and dumbfounded doctors will bring back bad memories of 1998. Kaka and Ronaldinho looked in decent, if not spectacualr form against Croatia (though Kaka seems fond of the Teamgeist ball) though Brazil failed to reach the high standards Eric Cantona has set for them. Part of the problem may be Ronaldo’s lack of mobility, and the obvious solution would be to bench the big-boned striker and give Robinho his chance to shine. Ronaldo has a talismanic quality that may make him undroppable, and there’s a danger that this whole issue could cause unrest in the Brazil camp one way or another.
We’ll know more after this game.

Scout Report – Australia

Guus Hiddink’s men will be high on confidence after the 3-1 win over Japan, but should remember that they weren’t particulalry impressive for long spells of the game. With all due repsect to Japan, they’re no Brazil (depsite the presence of Zico and Alex) and will present a much more potent challenge. Australia will look to use their physical attraibutes (stamina, strength) to match their more illustrious opposition, but will need their big names to be match fit to make this even resemble a fair fight quality wise. They will hope hero Tim Cahill is fit enough to start, and that Harry Kewell is ready to hit top gear.

LIVEBLOG
Follow the match highlights as they happen on the Brazil vs. Australia LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match.

Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers; name, caps, goals, coach:

Brazil (4-4-2) 1-Dida (87-0); 2-Cafu (146-0), 3-Lucio (51-2), 4-Juan (39-2), 6-Roberto Carlos (128-10); 5-Emerson (73-1), 11-Ze Roberto (80-5), 8-Kaka (35-10), 10-Ronaldinho (67-30); 9-Ronaldo (99-62), 7-Adriano (35-22) Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Australia (4-5-1): 1-Mark Schwarzer (38-0); 7-Brett Emerton (49-11), 2-Lucas Neill (26-0), 6-Tony Popovic (56-7), 14-Scott Chipperfield (47-11); 8-Josip Skoko (46-9), 5-Jason Culina (14-1), 20-Luke Wilkshire (10-0), 23-Marco Bresciano (25-7), 10-Harry Kewell (21-6); 9-Mark Viduka (34-6) Coach: Guus Hiddink

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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS

Brazil

The excellently monikered Fred holds the record for fastest ever goal in Brazilian football, scoring for América Mineiro against Vila Nova during a Copa São Paulo de Juniores (under 21 cup) match. The goal was scored 3.17 seconds after the match started.

Brazil Team Blog
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Australia

Stan Laziridiz may be at the World Cup, but technically he’s unemployed. He is yet to sign with a new club after being released by England’s Birmingham City.

Australia Team Blog
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TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS
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Australia Team Blog

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Old Man TIme

SOCCERWHOS YOUR TIME IS UP!
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org/ Euler

Roberto Carlos and Cicinho predicted 3:0 Brazil in a TV show, while Kaka predicted 2:0 at another. I predict a hard match. Brazil 2 Australia 1.
NICOLAS

NICE CONTRIBUTION!!!!! YOU ARE INDEED VERY, VERY, SO VERY CLEVER…..

ps: I LIKE TYPE IN CAPS LOCK TOO….VERRY EASY ON THE EYES.
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org/group-f/here-come-the-roos.html Here come the Roos – FIFA World Cup 2006 – Brazil World Cup Team Blog

[...] Brazil fights the green-and-yellow battle against Australia’s footballeroos socceroos today, in their second match on group F. A victory would secure their spot on the next round, given Japan and Croatia’s earlier 0-0 draw. The same can be said for Australia. See more on the match preview, and follow the match on the liveblog. See Brazil’s blog predictions – both my and Euler’s ones – on the comments of this post. [...]
Bidemi

Ola, Euler

I agree with Roberto Carlos and Cicinho on this one.
zé

Whoever says Cafu is looking old should have their head checked and watch the game against Croatia. He IS old, this is his last World Cup, but he’s running like a 22-year old. The guy was unstoppable against Croatia, and only lowered the tempo on the last quarter of the game, when Parreira *asked* him to retract to the defensive field.
http://australia.worldcupblog.org vlado

We’ll see soon enough.
Roland

I think the ‘roo’s will have their work cut out for them today. Brazil will be looking to shake off the cobwebs and put on a better effort than they did against Croatia. That could be bad news for the Aussies. The good news for Australia? This is not the Brazil squad of 2002.
Roland

And yes, Cafu is a freak of nature.
Bidemi

It’s the African genes. Look at people like Roger Milla, who can play at the same level well into their 30’s. Great conditioning.
Jen in Boston

Daryl, I also am a big fan of Fred. I love reading through the names of the Brazilian squad: Kaka, Ronaldinho, Adriano, Ronaldo, Robinho…and Fred.

Have to support Brazil here as my son is half Brazilian. I like Australia though, and if Brazil played like they did against Croatia, the Aussies have a shot. Hoping for an exciting match up!
crocop

go hrvatska,go brasil
Renz

Though it seems like a slow start, i hope USA get a goal – Only so Brazil get fuming mad and reward us with a number of goals – just cry out loud

No matter what – Brazil all the way – to the Finals
launners

Normally i would suport brazil but since im in portugal rite now ill say go Australia….but its not loookin good
http://www.dorkyboy.com/?p=35 dorkyboy » Blog Archive » big day

[...] whatever happens today, i just hope that we give a good account of ourselves. croatia lost to brazil 1-0 a couple of days ago, but were by no means shamed. infact, i thought they looked the better side for large parts of that match and deserved at least a draw, if not a win. [...]