Brazil 4 [Neymer 2 (17* and 35*), Fred 1 (49*), Fernando Luiz Roza (84, *)]: Cameroon 1 [Joel Metip 26*]
The dream HEXA mission of the all-time favorite, the admired and adored team all over the World, Brazil is well on course with them beating Cameroon 4-1 and finishing on top of group A. Hosts will play South American known foe Chile in the pre -quarter final as Chile losing 0-2 to Netherlands has finished number two in group B. Brazil’s pin up boy Neymar scored twice in the first half, Fernando and Fred scored the other goals. Joel Metip scored for Cameroon. Brazil looked to get into stride in earning the gate pass for the knock out round. The glowing Brazilian performance must have pleased their fans.
It was really flying like a butterfly and stinging like a bee for Brazilians. Cameroon had only pride to play having lost two earlier matches in the group their exit was already a foregone conclusion. They did not stay lying deep and did not hesitate to come at Brazil whenever possible. Unfortunately for Cameroon they were up against a vastly superior side on the day.
Coming to the match all that Brazil required a point for advancing. They already had four and hardly anyone believed the theoretical possibility of hosts turning spectator with a shocking defeat from the weakest team of the group Cameroon. Cameroon losing both their matches of the group had nothing to lose rather than creating some anxious moments in the host camp. Brazil media were very critical of their teams goalless draw against Mexico. Few thought that the team does not have enough quality to go all the way. This is quite understandable as in Brazil nothing less than winning all matches is considered a success. Teams that wins the cup has to play consistently well for 7 matches on the trot.
Smart teams peak as the tournament progresses. Giving all in early matches and getting extinguished on the half way is not what great teams do. It is great to see that that Brazil has started changing gears.
Brazil right from the very outset came swarming from all direction like the angry bees disturbed in a beehive stinging the Cameroons. Neymar looked hungry and willing. Fred playing ahead of Neynmar gave the attack more substance. 11 th minute into the match Number 10 of Brazil their budding hero Neymar scored off a Gustavo pass from the left, the 100 th goal in the 100th.
This boy is really a super star material. Against the run of play Cameroon hit back in style. After few wakeup calls Joe Metip coolly tapped the ball past Julio Cesar from a low cross equalized silencing the buzzing crowd (1-1). Free flowing Brazilian attack continued unabated. It is not that game always remained confined within Cameroon territory. Cameroon also kept intruding Brazilian territory as and when they could. Brazil defence looked a bit rattled on counter attacks. This matter Scolari must address before they play better opposition. Neymar brought joy back everywhere for Brazil fans with a beautiful solo 35 th minutes into the match dribbling past three defenders before flicking the ball gently past Cameroon Goal keeper (2-1). He is a cool customer and loses no idea if he gets a good ball in the business area. Match after match Neymar’s shoulder is getting wider in carrying the dreams of his nation. Teams went to lemon break with score board showing 2-1.Cameroon was not overwhelmed in the first half. However, Cameroon allowed too much space for goal hungry eagle Neymar to punish for landmark match of Brazil their mistakes. Paulinho again failed to impress and was appropriately replaced in the second half.
Brazil again started positively in the second half. Fred unleashed a ple driver in the 46 th minutes which Cameroon Goal keeper saved smartly. Fred headed home in 49th Cameroon defence failed to intercept (3-1).Every time Neymer got the electrifying noise broke out.
How a performance of a National superstar raise the nation. Jo Hulk showed lots of promise in the match combining well with Fred and Neymar upfront. The rest of the match witnessed several moves of Brazilians originated from deep inside own territory and flowering in the midfield. Half Chances of hat trick even came his way. Neymer got much more involved in this match and looked much fitter.
He kept on lurking around the Cameroon defence running and chasing with more purpose. He created some opportunities for Fred and Oscar. Finally in the 84 th minute substitute Fernandino scored from a sweetly bult up move made it an impressive score sheet (4-1) for the hosts in hexa mission. The margin also secured their top position in the group with an overall 5 goal difference against Mexico’s 3. Brazil will play Chile at Belo Horizonte on 29 June in the pre quarter final which promises to be a cracker of a contest among two top South American nations. Neymar was taken off in 70 th more as a precautionary measure against risking him getting another yellow card and getting suspended for the all-important match against Chile. Willan replacing him had few opportunities.
Brazil has not yet fired in all cylinders as they were not required too. Even then they advanced with 7 points in three matches. Brazil scored 7 goals and digested 2 with the first one being a suicide goal.
Brazil looks to have improved in some areas from the first two matches but the defence still a bit suspect on counter attacks and Paulinho in the midfield is still way below his best. It was good to see Fred looking better but Brazilian wing backs are not overlapping strongly like their teams in the past and not making their contribution to the teams attack. Neymers two first half goals definitely lighted up the match brightening his star value. The likes of Oscar, Fred must also step up more enterprisingly taking the focus of radar away from Neymer a little bit for the greater interest of the team. Over all Brazil appears to have changed its gear. Cameroon lost 4-1 but they were not really rolled over .Brazil defence need to be tightened a great deal. This needs to be sorted out. Brazil showed more collective brilliance. Luiz Gustavo impressed up most in the match apart from redoubtable Neymar.
BDST: 0755 HRS, June 24, 2014
