Brazil beat USA in Women's Semi

Brazil pulled off a shock yesterday, ending the USA's 51 match unbeaten run with a 4-0 victory in the Women's World Cup Semi-Final.

Inspired by Marta, Brazil swept their more illustrious (in Women's football) opponents aside with a brilliant display of attacking football in the true tradition of Brazil.

A Leslie Osborne own goal gave Brazil the lead after twenty minutes, and once Marta added a second, seven minutes later, they never looked like relinquishing their advantage. Second half goals from Cristiane, and a second from Marta sealed a famous victory, and consigned the USA to the largest defeat in their history.

Brazil will now face Germany in Sunday's final in Shanghai.

Riquelme in Argentina squad for World Cup qualifiers

With the South American world cup qualifying campaign due to kick off on the 13 October, many managers have started to announce their squads for the upcoming games.

In what may seem a surprising move, Argentina coach Alfio Basile has called up Juan Riquelme to his squad, despite the playmaker having not played competitive football for three months, due to his fallout with Villarreal and subsequent inability to secure a move away before the transfer deadline.

An article in Ole (Spanish link), has summarised that Basile doesn't believe that anyone else can offer the same playmaking ability as Riquelme, and he is therefore loathe to give up that option. Although he does have players like Pablo Aimar and Federico Insua, who can both fill the 'Number 10' position, no-one quite masters the position in the same way that Riquelme does.

Basile is keen to get Riquelme over to Argentina as soon as possible, so that he can assess his fitness, and make sure he is up to match speed, before their first qualifying game against former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa's Chile.

Copa Sudamericana: Brazil 2 - 1 Argentina

Three second leg ties were played last night in the Round of 16, with Brazilian sides Vasco da Gama and Sao Paulo reversing first leg deficits to make their way into the Quarter Finals, at the expense of Argentine sides, Lanus and Boca Juniors respectively.

Argentina did have one success on the night, as Arsenal de Sarandi drew with Goias Esporte Clube to send them through 4 -3 on aggregate . The results were as follows; aggregate scores in brackets:

Vasco da Gama (Bra) 3 (3) - 0 (2) Lanus (Arg)
Sao Paulo (Bra) 1 (2) - 0 (2) Boca Juniors (Arg) - Sao Paulo win on away goals
Arsenal de Sarandi (Arg) 1 (4) - 1 (3) Goias Esporte Clube

River Plate face Botofogo tonight, trailing 1-0 from the first leg.

Three first leg fixtures have also now been completed, with the results as follows:

Millionairos (Col) 1 - 1 Colo Colo (Chi)
CF Pachuca (Mex) 1 - 4 America (Mex)
DC United (Usa) 2 - 1 Guadalajara (Mex)

All the remaining fixtures are scheduled to be wrapped up by the October 5th deadline for the first round of competition.

Two Brazilians on their way to London?

Kerlon's return to prominence seems to have once again made the teenager a hot property across world football. The Daily Mirror reports that West Ham are hoping to seal a £5million deal for the Brazilian, but will face competition from Torino, Real Betis and Espanyol for his signature.

Considering it's the Daily Mirror, this should probably be taken with a pinch of salt, especially as it is unlikely he would be able to obtain a work permit to play in England at this point of time. I would think a move to a Spanish or Portuguese club is a lot more likely for the talented youngster.

The second Brazilian possibly on his way to London is Ronaldinho, with rumors of a move to Chelsea refusing to go away, especially with his exclusion from the Barcelona side against Sevilla last weekend. The Sun reports that Ronaldinho will be able to buy his way out of his contract at the end of the season, allowing him to move for free to another club.

It would have to be questioned whether doing so is really worth £14million of Ronaldinho's own money, but if he does buy out his contract there will plenty of clubs throwing big money wages at him in an attempt to seal his signature, so it could work out. Chelsea and AC Milan are apparently heading the queue if this was to happen.

Brazil's Women Team Performing Well in Women's World Cup

Title says it all really. Brazil's women team have had a great tournament so far and have made their way to the semi-final, where they will face the USA.

Their two most impressive players throughout the tournament have been Marta and Cristiane, both of whom are based in Europe, playing for Umea and Wolfsburg respectively. Their silky skills, mixed with an unerring ability to read each others minds during play, has resulted in nine goals between them, in Brazil's run to the semis.

They finished top of their group with nine points after defeating New Zealand 5-0, China 4-0 and Denmark 1-0, to set them up for a quarter final tie against Australia. The Aussies twice fought back from a goal behind before Cristiane put Brazil into the lead for a third time in the seventy-fifth minute. Despite a late Australia rally, Brazil held off to win a place in the semi-finals.

The USA will prove tough opposition for the Brazilians, as they come into the match on a 51 game unbeaten streak. Brazil have impressed many viewers throughout the competition with their attacking brand of football, but will have to be at their best if they are to defeat the two-time World Cup winners.

The game will be shown on Eurosport from 13:00 GMT tomorrow, with live coverage also available through FIFA.com TV for free.

Kerlon's Seal Dribble is Back - Still Annoying Defenders

Kerlon and his infamous Seal Dribble are back, and it is still annoying defenders. Although not quite as vicious as the Colombian defenders' attempts to stop him, back when he originally debuted the Seal Dribble a couple of years ago at the South American Under 17 Championships, this reaction from Atletico Mineiro defenders last week is still pretty hostile.



Its nice to see Kerlon back to full fitness and finally breaking through as a consistent first team player. He has a bright future ahead of him, but needs to learn when to use this skill, because if he regularly creates this sort of reaction from opposition players, you have to wonder how long it will be before someone causes him serious injury.

Cacapa - The next Roque Junior?

Whilst watching the English Premiership highlights over the weekend, I couldn't help but notice the decidedly dodgy performance by Newcastle's Brazilian centre-back Cacapa. Throughout the game he seemed to be entirely off the pace and could be seen lazily wandering around the penalty area on most of West Ham's attacks.

The moment that really caught my eye is shown in the video below. Not only does he fail to clear the ball with his original header, but he then also fails to clear the ball a second time, taking a wild swing and miss.



His performance reminded me of another Brazilian defender who endured an incredibly rough time in the Premiership; the one and only Roque Junior. For five games in 2003 he struck fear into the hearts of every Leeds fan, as a catalogue of errors saw them ship goals galore. It is hard to really put into words just how awful Roque Junior was in a Leeds shirt, and considering he came to England with both World Cup (with Brazil) and UEFA Champions League (with AC Milan) winners medals, there were many wondering if the real Roque Junior had actually got off the plane, or whether he had been mugged and his place taken by some wannabee. It soon transpired that it wasn't an Ali Dia style-prank; Roque Junior really was that bad.

Cacapa's uncertain start is sure to bring back these memories for many, as despite his great pedigree as captain of Lyon's all conquering side, he seems to be finding the Premiership a bit of a struggle.

There has never been a truly successful Brazilian defender in the Premiership, and on the early season evidence that doesn't look likely to change. Chelsea's Alex probably has the best chance to impress, whereas Newcastle fans will just have to hope that Cacapa's current form is not a true indication of his ability. The rest of us will have to wonder why Premiership managers continue to purchase low quality Brazilian defenders, leaving the best of them for the rest of Europe.

Copa Sudamericana 2007 - Round of 16

The round of sixteen stage of the Copa Sudamericana got underway this past week, with five of the eight first leg matches being played. As it is the team's themselves who have to arrange the fixture dates, there are still three first leg matches that are yet to take place. The teams have until the 4th October to complete both legs of these matches.

The competition is generally considered to be the second-tier Latin American cup, behind the Copa Libertadores, although many of the same teams take part in both tournaments. The Copa Sudamericana also includes one team from the USA, DC United, who qualified by finishing in third place at this year's CONCACAF Champions Cup.

The winners of the Copa Sudamericana face the winners of the previous Copa Libertadores in the Recopa Sudamericana, the equivalent of the European Super Cup in Europe. Thus, the winners of this tournament will face Boca Juniors in that competition.

The current holders of the Copa Sudamericana are Mexican side CF Pachuca, who defeated Colo Colo of Chile in last year's final.

The results from the games played so far are as follows:

Lanus (Arg) 2 - 0 Vasco da Gama (Bra)
Goias (Bra) 2 - 3 Arsenal de Sarandi (Arg)
Boca Juniors (Arg) 2 - 1 Sao Paulo (Bra)
Defensor Sporting (Uru) 3 - 0 El Nacional (Ecu)
Botafogo (Bra) 1 - 0 River Plate (Arg)

The following three first leg fixtures are yet to be completed

CF Pachuca (Mex) vs America (Mex)
DC United (Usa) vs Guadalajara (Mex)
Millionairos (Col) vs Colo Colo (Chi)

Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A Round 27 (and belated Round 26) Results

Sao Paulo 2 - 0 Figueirense
Goias Esporte Clube 1 - 1 America Natal
Gremio 1 - 0 Santos
Juventude 2 - 2 Flamengo
Atletico Mineiro 2 - 2 Internacional
Nautico Recife 2 - 0 Sport Recife
Palmeiras 1 - 0 Corinthians
Botafogo 0 -2 Fluminense
Atletico Paranaense 2 -1 Parana Curitiba
Vasco da Gama 0 -2 Cruzeiro

And the Round 26 results

Sao Paulo 2 -1 Santos
Fluminense 2 - 0 America Natal
Goias Esporte Clube 0 - 3 Nautico Recife
Atletico Mineiro 3 -4 Cruzeiro
Sport Recife 3 -1 Parana Curitiba
Atletico Paranaense 2 -1 Palmeiras
Corinthians 0 -1 Botafogo
Gremio 1 - 0 Internacional
Figueirense 4 - 1 Juventude
Flamengo 1 - 1 Vasco da Gama

Argentina Torneo Apertura Round 10 (and belated Round 9) Results

Huracan 2 - 2 Colon de Santa Fe
Rosario Central 1 -3 San Lorenzo
Gimnasia La Plata 0 - 1 Banfield
Argentinos Juniors 4 -0 Newell's Old Boys
San Martin San Juan 3 - 2 Velez Sarsfield
Independiente 3 - 0 Olimpo Bahia Blanca
CA Tigre 4 - 1 River Plate
Boca Juniors 2 - 2 Gimnasia de Jujuy
Lanus 1 - 0 Estudiantes
Arsenal de Sarandi 0 - 1 Racing Avellaneda

And the results of Round 9

Gimnasia de Jujuy 1 - 1 Argentinos Juniors
Colon de Santa Fe 1 - 3 Independiente
Olimpo Bahia Blanca 0 - 0 Gimnasia La Plata
Huracan 2 -1 San Martin San Juan
Estudiantes 1 -1 Arsenal de Sarandi
Racing Avellaneda 1 - 0 Velez Sarsfield
San Lorenzo 2 -1 CA Tigre
Newell's Old Boys 0 - 1 Rosario Central
River Plate 3 - 1 Lanus
Banfield 0 - 6 Boca Juniors

Article Published by Atomic Sports Media - De Rússia con amor

To go from the sweltering hot sands of the Copacabana, to Moscow in the heart of a Russian winter may not seem to be the most attractive move for a footballer, but it is one that is becoming increasingly more common. As of this week, there are currently nineteen Brazilians, as well as six Argentines and one Colombian plying their trade in Russia’s top division. Add to that, a further twenty Brazilians in the Ukrainian first division and there is quite a community growing across the former USSR countries.

To continue this article, click here to be directed to Atomic Sports Media.

I'm Back

Sorry for the lack of updates over the last week. I've been out of the country, so will be updating the blog over the next few hours to catch up with what I've missed out.

I'm going to be moving the blog forward in the coming weeks and should be adding a lot more content as I do.

I hope you'll all stick around for the ride.

International Friendly Roundup

Various Latin American teams were involved in friendly matches over the weekend.

Marcelo Bielsa's reign as Chile boss endured a disappointing start as they lost 2-1 to Switzerland. A solitary strike from Alexis Sanchez not enough to get a result against the Euro 2008 co-hosts.

Brazil overcame a valiant effort from the USA to win 4-2. The Americans took the lead before an own goal from Onyewu and a Lucio strike gave them a 2-1 lead. The game wasn't over though, as the USA equalised with seventeen minutes remaining, before Ronaldinho and Elano finally settled the match in Brazil's favour with two goals in the last thirteen minutes.

Ecuador thrashed El Salvador 5-1, Venezuela beat Paraguay 3-2, Peru drew 2-2 with Colombia, and Costa Rica and Honduras played out a 0-0 draw in the remaining games.

Argentina Torneo Apertura Week 7 Results

Gimnasia de Jujuy 0 - 2 CA Tigre
Olimpo Bahia Blanca 1- 1 Argentinos Juniors
Banfield 3 - 2 Rosario Central
Huracan BA 0 -1 Gimnasia La Plata
Newell's Old Boys 0 -0 CA Lanus
Independiente 2 - 2 San Martin San Juan
Estudiantes La Plata 2 -1 Racing Avellaneda
San Lorenzo 2 -4 Arsenal de Sarandi
River Plate 5 - 0 Velez Sarsfield
Colon de Santa Fe 1 - 0 Boca Juniors

Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A Week 25 Results

Vasco da Gama 0 - 2 Sao Paulo
SC Internacional 3 - 0 Flamengo
Figueirense 2 - 1 Atletico Mineiro
Santos 1 - 0 Juventude
Cruzeiro 2 - 0 Gremio Porto Alegre
Parana Curitiba 1 - 0 Corinthians
Palmeiras 2 -0 Goias Esporte Clube
Nautico Recife 4 -1 Botafogo
Fluminense 2 - 0 Atletico Paranaense
America Natal 1 -1 Sport Recife

Ossie Ardiles Returns to Management with Huracan

Huracan have moved quickly to appoint a new manager after Antonio Mohammed quit on Tuesday, with their former player Osvaldo Ardiles ready to take charge.

Ole (Spanish link) report that Ardiles will fly into Buenos Aires from London today to sign the contract, and will be in attendence for their game against Gimnasia La Plata at the weekend, although he will not take charge until next week.

Ardiles has been out of a job since he was sacked as Beiter Jerusalem manager in October last year, and has promised that the team will play in the attacking style he is famed for once he takes over.

Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A Week 24 Results

Corinthians 1 - 0 America Natal
Goias Esporte Clube 2 -3 Atletico Paranaense
Flamengo 4 - 1 Figueirense
Juventude 1 - 0 Cruzeiro
Gremio Porto Alegre 3 - 1 Vasco da Gama
Santos 2 - 1 SC Internacional
Atletico Mineiro 0 - 0 Sao Paulo
Parana Curitiba 2 -4 Nautico Recife
Sport Recife 0 - 2 Fluminense
Botafogo 1 - 1 Palmeiras

One Midweek Argentina Torneo Apertura Result

River Plate made up their final game in hand by defeating Newell's Old Boys 3-1 last night.

Only a 10% chance of Riquelme moving to Boca

An article in Ole (Spanish link) indicates that despite reports on Friday that Boca could still negotiate a deal for Juan Riquelme with Villarreal, it seems that any hope of this happening is now all but gone.

Mauricio Macri is quoted as saying that there is "only a 10% chance of a deal occuring", with Villarreal unwilling to sell the player for what Boca were offering. Boca's offer of 5million Euros + 20% of the transfer proceeds when either Rodrigo Palacio or Ever Banega are sold was rejected out of hand by the Spanish side.

It seems that Riquelme will now have to rot in the Villarreal reserves until January, unless the board and manager Manuel Pellagrini decide to reintroduce him into the side, although this seems unlikely, even after their 5 - 0 defeat to Real Madrid at the weekend. Pellegrini already has a plethora of attacking-midfielders such as Matias Fernandez, Robert Pires, Santi Carzorla and Ruben Cani, so it is hard to see how Riquelme would fit into his plans, even if common ground could be reached.

Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A Week 23 Results

Flamengo 1 -1 Sport Recife
America Natal 0 -3 Juventude
Sao Paulo 6 - 0 Paranas Curitiba
Atletico Paranaense 1 - 0 Atletico Mineiro
Corinthians 2 - 0 Santos
Gremio Porto Alegre 3 - 0 Botafogo
Cruzeiro 5 - 0 Palmeiras
Goias Esporte Clube 2 - 1 Figueirense
Nautico Recife 1 - 1 SC Internacional
Fluminense 1 -1 Vasco da Gama

Argentina Torneo Apertura Week 6 Results

CA Tigre 1 - 0 CA Banfield
Rosario Central 1 - 1 Olimpo Bahia Blanca
Arsenal de Sarandi 1 - 0 Newell's Old Boys
Argentinos Juniors 2 - 1 Colon de Santa Fe
CA Lanus 2 - 0 Gimnasia de Jujuy
Gimnasia La Plata 1 - 0 CA Independiente
San Martin San Juan 1 - 0 Estudiantes La Plata
Velez Sarsfield 2 - 0 San Lorenzo
Racing Avellaneda 1 - 1 River Plate
Boca Juniors 1 - 0 Huracan

Argentina and Peru both fall at quarter final stage of U-17 World Cup

Argentina and Peru both suffered 2-0 defeats against African opposition, ending the participation of Latin American teams in the U-17 World Cup.

Peru never looked likely to beat Ghana, as their opponents controlled the game from start to finish in Changwon's pouring rain to record a comfortable victory.

Argentina competed better with their opponents Nigeria and were extremely unlucky to go in 2-0 down at half time. Nigeria took control after half time, and despite a late rally, Argentina were unable to break through.

It was a disappointing end to the Latin American challenge, with the European and African nations seemingly stronger in this age group.

European Transfer Deadline Closed

The transfer window closed last night for all European teams with plenty of deals involving Latin American players going through on the final day.

First off, Atletico Madrid completed the signing of Thiago Motta from Barcelona. Sky Sports report that Atletico paid 2million Euros for the Brazilian's services.

Sky Sports also report that Wolfsburg have completed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Grafite for 8million Euros from Le Mans.

Watford have signed River Plate youngster Santiago Aloi on an initial one-year loan deal. BBC Sport report that they have an option to sign the player on a permanent basis at the end of the loan period.

Stoke have captured the signing of Jamaican international Demar Phillips from Waterhouse. BBC Sport report that they have paid "a significant but undisclosed fee" for the midfielder.

BBC Sport also report that West Ham have signed Noberto Solano from Newcastle on a one-year contract.

Real Betis finally wrapped up the signing of Brazilian defender Lima from Atletico Mineiro. UEFA.com report that the player has signed a five-year deal with the Spanish side.

Finally, neither Juan Riquelme or Daniel Alves managed to complete moves away from their respective clubs so will remain with them until the January window.