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A last-minute goal by Luis Fabiano was enough to
give an under-strength, lacklustre Brazil team a 1-0 win over Chile on Thursday
in their opening Copa America Group C game.
The Sao Paulo striker rose above the defence to
score his fourth goal in five internationals after Chile had earlier squandered
a twice-taken penalty, Sebastian Gonzalez converting the first attempt but
failing when the referee ordered a retake.
Chile's fast counter-attacking style caused
problems for a hesitant Brazil throughout and a draw might have been a fairer
result.
Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has rested
his top players -- including Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Kaka and Cafu
-- for the Copa and their pretenders often showed their lack of experience and
understanding.
The world champions passed the ball comfortably
at first but were limited to long range shots by Adriano and Gustavo Nery, both
saved by Alex Varas.
Brazil then had a lucky escape when Arsenal
midfielder Edu tripped Rodrigo Valenzuela to give away the penalty midway
through the first half.
Gonzalez fired an unstoppable shot past Julio
Cesar, but Mexican referee Marco Gonzalez ruled that Chilean players had
encroached into the area.
Seemingly distracted, Gonzalez blasted his
second attempt over the bar.
Chile looked increasingly dangerous on the break
and Valenzuela posed a constant threat.
Once such break ended in a powerful shot by
Rodrigo Perez, that almost beat goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
The largely local crowd packing Arequipa's
picturesque UNSA stadium grew impatient with Brazil's ponderous approach and
some even began to switch their allegiance to the Chileans -- usually unpopular
among Peruvians with whom they share a long-standing rivalry.
With time running out, Luis Fabiano popped up to
head home a corner taken by Alex.
The win puts Brazil level on three points with
Paraguay, who beat Costa Rica 1-0 in Thursday's earlier game. |
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