Brazil in Qatar
The Samba Boys of Brazil Monday night in Qatar strolled into the round of 16 after a gruesome battle with Switzerland via a Casemiro bullet shot in the 83rd minute from their usual ‘tiki taka’ football meaning one touch pass where among a legion of passes substitute Rodrygo found Casemiro. Brazil 1 Swiss 0.
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VAR chief in the match, Fischer from Canada had rejected Real Madrid’s Vinicius Juniors’ goal at 64th minute.
The Centre Ref Ivan Barton from EL Savador handled the Japan versus Germany where Japan won 2-1.
Switzerland did not record a single shot on target but Brazil had 5 good shots; despite the efforts of Nigeria’s Akanji in the Swiss defence, Brazil played 8 corner kicks stressing the Swiss team that conceded 17 fouls to Brazil 10 in determined spate of moves to ward off the mesmerizing Brazilian attacks.
Brazil and Switzerland always play nail biting matches that you can hardly sit comfortably watching their matches. In 2006 Switzerland lost to Brazil 1-2; Brazil was beaten 1-0 in 2013 both friendly matches but in the last world cup at Group E both played 1-1 draw, no wonder the Qatar match was dicey.
In the first round, Brazil outran Serbia 2-0 and Switzerland narrowly clipped the Canadian wings 1-0.
At the end of round 2 in Group G, Brazil has qualified for the next round having secured maximum 6 points with +3 goals difference; Switzerland is still second with 3 points and zero GD; Cameroon has a point with -1 GD to be 3rd on the table while Serbia whose coach bagged a red card earlier are 4th with a point and -2 GD. Earlier, Cameroon and Serbia played 3-3.
Who joins Brazil for the round of 16 knockout stages will be decided simultaneously at 2000 hours West African Time on Friday 3rd December when Cameroon plays Brazil and Serbia has to beat Switzerland or go home.
Third round matches start tomorrow Tuesday. In Group A, hosts Qatar will play a formality match with Netherlands and Ecuador will test the strength of African champions Teranga Lions of Senegal both matches at 1600 hours. No matches at 1100 hours.
In Group B, two avowed political enemies will suspend their cold war hostilities to embrace football that unites the world when USA meet Iran and at the same time Wales will tackle regular fellow Europeans Three Lions of England both at 2000 hours.
Eniola Olatunji reporting.
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